Politics
Abia Central APC Stakeholders Denounced The Senatorial Primary In The Zone
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the Abia Central Senatorial District, have denounced the Senatorial primary in the zone, saying they will not accept the reported farcical display of brigandage as the will of the people.
In a letter of protest to the national leadership of the APC, titled “Irregularities, Brigandage, and Breach of Electoral Process in Abia Central Senatorial Primary, the stakeholders said it was painful that a few individuals hijacked the process and denied party faithful the opportunity to nominate their representatives.
The protesters, led by Uche Onyejekwe and Mrs Ego Nwamuo, recalled that when the direct primary option was chosen for the nomination of candidates for the Abia Central Senatorial Zone of Abia State, they heaved a sigh of relief as party faithful, believing that at last they had an opportunity to have a say in how their flag bearers would emerge for the 2027 general election.
However, the stakeholders expressed regret, saying, “We regret to inform you that the party lost a golden opportunity to advertise its commitment to internal democracy and citizen inclusivity. At the end of what would have been a day for celebration of plurality, it became obvious that some desperate and overzealous politicians who insist on the old ways of impunity and gangster strategies hijacked the process and allocated votes, even in wards where no actual balloting took place.
“In the light of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to your good offices to investigate the breach of process and illegal exclusion of party faithful in the Abia Central Senatorial Primary Election of May 18, 2026.
“We are confident that a diligent investigation of this claim will warrant the review of the outcome of the primary and a repeat of the process in areas with no evidence of public participation,” the aggrieved protesters stated.
The protesters further disclosed that no member of the Seven-man APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee, INEC officials, and security personnel arrived in most wards, and in some local governments, stressing that APC members were surprised to hear that results were later announced with various fictitious figures allocated to candidates as if a transparent exercise had taken place.
They added, “We are convinced and make bold to say that there was a predetermined outcome from the beginning, given that figures were allegedly written and allocated behind closed doors. The confusion deepened when Hon. Emeka Atumah was eventually announced as the winner of the primary with outrageous and bewildering figures.
“It was surprising that such figures could be allocated when it was quite evident that there was no semblance of an election in most wards. We demand video evidence from anybody who would claim otherwise. Because, from Oloko Ward 2, Usaka Ward, Osisioma Wards 2, 3, 8, and 9, and Okporo Ahaba Ward 1, and most other wards, there is an abundance of evidence to show that party members who gathered very early, waited throughout the day, without any accreditation, officials or voting.
“The only thing we heard was that some already prepared results were announced to the public by one Hon Thomas Nkoro, who was not a member of the Seven-man Committee from the APC Headquarters, Abuja. We humbly invite the National Leadership of our great party to cross-check if any Thomas Nkoro was sent to announce the results of a primary election that did not hold,” the protesters demanded.
The protesters said that party faithful across various wards in Abia Central Senatorial District are prepared to testify in person and attest that no primary election was held in their areas, particularly: OLOKO WARD 2, Usaka ward in Ikwuano L.G.A; Ward 2 Osisioma LGA; Ntighauzo primary school; Okporo Ahaba ward 1; Osisioma Ngwa Ward 8.
The stakeholders prayed the leadership of the APC to apply its discretionary powers to fish out the perpetrators of the confusion for necessary sanctions and resolve the impasse in the best interest of the party.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has said democracy has firmly taken root in Nigeria following the party’s nationwide primary elections.
Atiku made this remark in a statement signed by the Atiku Media Office and shared on X on Monday after casting his vote at the Ajiya Ward Polling Unit in Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.
The ADC presidential primary was held simultaneously across 8,809 wards in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing supporters, Atiku described the large turnout as a strong indication of internal democratic participation within the party.
“The large turnout of voters is a clear indication of how party members are willing to participate in the ADC internal democratic processes”, the former Vice President said, adding “I have no doubt that democracy has come to stay.”
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The former vice president cast his vote amid cheers from party faithful who gathered at the polling unit.
The former vice president cast his vote amid cheers from party faithful who gathered at the polling unit. Voting reportedly commenced shortly after his arrival at the venue from Abuja, with Atiku listed among three aspirants in the race, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatudeen.
The statement added that the returning officer, Hon. Umar Jada, earlier announced that Ajiya Ward had unanimously endorsed Atiku’s
The statement said, “The returning officer, Hon. Umar Jada, earlier announced that Ajiya Ward had unanimously endorsed Atiku’s candidacy. At the end of the process, a total of 3,220 votes were reportedly cast in his favour.”
Hannah Johnson
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says the withdrawal of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the 2027 governorship race is linked to a political peace agreement aimed at stabilising the state.
Wike remarked on Monday while briefing journalists after inspecting infrastructure projects in Abuja.
He said the development was consistent with understandings reached during reconciliation efforts involving key political actors in Rivers State.
Fubara recently stepped down from the All Progressives Congress governorship primary, saying his decision was taken after consultations and in the interest of peace, unity, and stability in the state.
In a statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said the move followed careful reflection and discussions with family, allies, and associates.
However, Wike maintained that the withdrawal was not unexpected, arguing that it aligned with earlier agreements reached during peace negotiations.
According to the former Rivers State governor, part of the understanding included dropping impeachment threats against Fubara on the condition that he would not seek a second term.
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He also faulted the governor’s earlier decision to obtain nomination forms, saying it ran contrary to the spirit of the agreement and complicated reconciliation efforts.
“I am not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form, because agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go about a second term,” Wike said.
He added that the governor’s earlier actions “didn’t show signs of gentlemanship” despite several interventions aimed at restoring stability.
“But whatever it is, he has withdrawn and somebody has emerged,” he stated.
Wike also expressed confidence in Chinda’s political credentials, describing the lawmaker as a suitable candidate for the governorship position.
The minister added, “A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material.
“He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the Executive and is now in the Legislature. I am sure that he must have been approached by the All Progressives Congress to join them and then get the ticket.”
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