Primaries: Ex-minister petitions Abia APC committee, rejects winner

Former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, has formally submitted a protest letter to the All Progressives Congress Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee, challenging the declaration of Chief Eric Opiah as the winner of the Abia State APC governorship primary.

In the petition submitted on Monday in Umuahia, the State capital, Ikoh maintained that he was duly adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party by 13 out of the 18 members of the State Working Committee (SWC), in line with the provisions and guidelines of the APC for the emergence of consensus candidates.

According to him, the overwhelming endorsement by the majority members of the SWC followed extensive consultations among party stakeholders across the state, aimed at ensuring unity, fairness, and the emergence of a broadly acceptable candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Ikoh expressed surprise over the subsequent declaration of another aspirant as winner of the primaries despite what he described as a valid and duly documented consensus arrangement overwhelmingly backed by the party leadership in the state.

 “I remain a loyal and committed member of the APC, and my decision to approach the Appeal Committee is borne out of the need to uphold the truth and safeguard the credibility of our great party. The consensus arrangement that produced my candidature was genuine, lawful, and supported by 13 out of 18 SWC members,” Ikoh stated.

 He further called on members and supporters of the party across Abia State to remain calm, peaceful, and confident in the ability of the APC leadership and the Appeal Committee to dispense justice fairly and transparently.

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with 17 years of professional experience. He has served as a correspondent covering Abia State since 2015 and focuses on governance, human rights, justice, and equity. Ogbonnaya’s work reflects strong organizational skills, editorial discipline, and a commitment to objective and responsible journalism.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PidomNigeria.

Contact: [email protected]