APC Rejects Automatic Tickets, Vows Credible Primaries in Abia

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has ruled out the possibility of automatic tickets for aspirants ahead of the party’s primary elections, insisting that all candidates must emerge through transparent and democratic processes.
The position was made known during a stakeholders’ meeting attended by party leaders, former lawmakers, governorship aspirants, members of the state executive and other stakeholders across the state.

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the APC in Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, stressed the need for unity, internal democracy and collective commitment toward strengthening the party ahead of future elections.

Kalu dismissed speculations that the party leadership had already compiled a handwritten list of preferred candidates for elective offices, describing the allegation as “falsehood in capital letters.”
“There is no automatic ticket anywhere for anybody,” he declared, assuring party faithful that no aspirant would be imposed on members.

He noted that despite previous internal disagreements within the party, the APC in Abia had become more united, with leaders now “speaking with one voice” in pursuit of the party’s collective interest.

The Deputy Speaker further reminded members that political power ultimately comes from God, urging party faithful not to destroy the party over temporary disappointments or personal ambitions.

Also speaking, the Abia APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, said the party was undergoing strategic repositioning to prepare for future electoral contests in the state.

He disclosed that the party had acquired and commenced renovation of a new state secretariat, which he described as befitting for a ruling party controlling the Federal Government.

According to him, the APC could no longer operate from what he termed an inadequate office environment, and appealed to members and stakeholders to support the completion of the project to enable full relocation to the new facility.

Chukwu also revealed that the sale and screening of nomination forms for aspirants seeking elective positions, including seats in the State House of Assembly, had been concluded successfully without major disputes.

On the conduct of the forthcoming primaries, the State Organising Secretary, Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor, assured members that the exercise would be credible, transparent and devoid of intimidation or favouritism.

Okoroafor disclosed that the APC primary elections would commence on Friday, May 15, 2026, beginning with House of Representatives contests across various wards nationwide.

He explained that the elections would be ward-based, while results would be collated at the local government level, adding that adequate logistics had been put in place to ensure a smooth exercise.

The party, he said, had adopted the direct primary and open ballot system for the exercise, while aspirants were advised to submit lists of their agents and representatives to the party secretariat.

Providing details of the screening exercise, Okoroafor disclosed that nine aspirants were cleared for the Senate seats across the three senatorial districts, while 24 aspirants qualified for the House of Representatives seats in the eight federal constituencies.

He added that four aspirants successfully scaled through screening for the governorship race, while 63 aspirants were cleared for the State House of Assembly contests.

The organising secretary, however, warned that only financially up-to-date party members would be eligible to vote and be voted for during the primaries.
Party leaders further maintained that consensus candidacy would only be possible through mutual agreement among aspirants and stakeholders, noting that popularity and acceptance among party members would determine outcomes where contests become necessary.

Members were urged to approach the primaries with sportsmanship, brotherhood and commitment to the collective interest of the APC above personal ambition.

In their goodwill messages, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Sir Eric Opah and Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, among others, warned against actions capable of dividing the party.

They maintained that the APC must remain united to realise its ambition of producing the next governor of Abia State.

The meeting ended with renewed calls for reconciliation, unity and collective sacrifice as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections in the state.