ABIA APC PRIMARIES: ERIC OPAH, ORJI UZOR KALU, ERONDU JNR, CHINEDUM ORJI EMERGE FLAG BEARERS By David Maduako, Umuahia

ABIA APC PRIMARIES: ERIC OPAH, ORJI UZOR KALU, ERONDU JNR, CHINEDUM ORJI EMERGE FLAG BEARERS

By David Maduako, Umuahia

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its primary elections across the state, except for the presidential primary, which has only one contender, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the incumbent President.

Announcing the results at the party secretariat in Umuahia on May 21, 2026, the returning officers declared Chief Eric Opah winner of the governorship primary after defeating his rival, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh.

Opah polled over 126,000 votes, while Ikoh scored less than 6,000 votes.

In the senatorial primaries, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emerged as the party’s flag bearer for Abia North Senatorial District with over 45,000 votes, while Hon. Erondu Uchenna Jnr secured more than 14,000 votes to emerge candidate for Abia South Senatorial District. Hon. Emeka Atuma emerged as the candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District.
For the eight House of Representatives seats in the state, Hon. Chris Nkwonta emerged for Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, while Hon. Udo Alozie secured the ticket for Obingwa/Ugwunagbo/Osisioma Federal Constituency.

Hon. Uzo Azubike emerged for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, while Chief Chinedum Orji clinched the ticket for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency. Former Minister, Nkiru Onyejeocha, emerged as candidate for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.

Others are Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for Bende Federal Constituency and Mr. Ikenna Ukwa for Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency.

For the State House of Assembly primaries, the party produced candidates for all 24 state constituencies. Only one female aspirant emerged victorious, while another female aspirant protested, alleging that she was shortchanged during the exercise.

The electoral officers, led by Hon. Erasmus Ishark, described the primaries as peaceful and successful.
Meanwhile, the party, during a press conference, congratulated all the successful candidates and wished them success as preparations begin for the 2027 general elections.