APC Chairman Defends Abia Primaries as Mascot Uzor Kalu tenders Voluntary withdrawal from Guber race

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chijioke Chukwu, has defended the conduct of the party’s primary elections following the withdrawal of one of the governorship aspirants, Mascot Uzor Kalu, from the race ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Addressing newsmen at the  APC Party Secretariat in Umuahia amid reactions trailing the primaries, Chukwu said Kalu’s withdrawal was voluntary and aimed at preserving unity and stability within the party.

The APC chairman dismissed allegations surrounding the conduct of the primaries, insisting that only the officially designated returning officer possessed the authority to announce election results.

According to him, contrary reports circulating in some quarters may have stemmed from a misunderstanding of internal party communications.

Chukwu disclosed that the party had concluded arrangements to establish a peace and reconciliation committee after the primaries to engage aggrieved aspirants and party members in a bid to sustain cohesion within the APC.

He acknowledged that not every aspirant could emerge victorious, stressing that the party considered several factors in selecting candidates, including popularity, zoning, loyalty, financial capacity, competence, and the overall interest of the party.

“We are not just looking for candidates who are sellable and marketable; we are also considering capacity, loyalty, equity, and the overall interest of the party,” he stated.

The chairman further revealed that the party leadership was considering measures to ease the financial burden on aspirants who lost during the primaries.

He assured loyal members that the APC would continue to reward commitment and dedication through appointments, inclusion in party structures, and other opportunities within government.

Chukwu also maintained that President Bola Tinubu remained committed to strengthening the APC in Abia State and positioning the party for electoral victories across all levels in the 2027 general elections.