The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced international businessman Mr. Eric Opah as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections in Abia State. The party also unveiled candidates for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.
Primary Election Details
Three aspirants—Mascot Uzor Kalu, Henry Ikoh, and Eric Opah—were initially cleared to contest the governorship primary. However, Mascot Uzor Kalu withdrew from the race on Wednesday, a day before the exercise, leaving Ikoh and Opah to compete for the party's ticket. Bartho Nyelong, Chairman of the Abia State Governorship and State House of Assembly Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, declared Opah the winner after he garnered 125,977 votes, defeating Ikoh who secured 5,905 votes.
National Assembly Candidates
The party also announced winners of its National Assembly primaries conducted across the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
House of Representatives Candidates
For the House of Representatives primaries held on May 16, the following candidates emerged:
- Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency – Hon. Chris Nkwonta
- Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbor Federal Constituency – Chief Udo Alozie
- Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency – Hon. Uzo Azubuike
- Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency – Chief Uzo Ihuka
- Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency – Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji
- Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency – Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha
- Bende Federal Constituency – Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu
- Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency – Mr. Ikenna Ukwa
Senatorial Candidates
For the senatorial primaries held on May 18, the APC announced:
- Abia North Senatorial District – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
- Abia Central Senatorial District – Hon. Emeka Atuma
- Abia South Senatorial District – Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr.
State House of Assembly Candidates
The party also released the names of candidates for the State House of Assembly elections:
- Aba North – Aaron Emmanuel Azubuike
- Aba South – Akpulonu Chinedu
- Arochukwu – Ike Okoroafor
- Bende North – Orji Udeagha
- Ikwuano – Ishiowu Chika
- Isiala Ngwa North – Alex Chibuikem
- Isiala Ngwa South – Esihe Chibuzo Patrick
- Aba Central – Nwobilo Peace Ulonnaya
- Isuikwuato – Chimaobi Agbaeze Victor
- Obingwa East – Justice Ihuoma Ogbonna
- Obingwa West – Maduka Akpulonu
- Ohafia North – Otuwe Kalu Oji
- Ohafia South – Nelson Uchechukwu
- Osisioma North – Iheyinna Ositadinma Mgbeahuru
- Osisioma South – Iheanacho Godwin Ogumnka
- Ugwunagbo – Samuel Eze Nwanganga
- Ukwa East – Adiele Edwin Ekeke
- Ukwa West – Silvanus Nwaji
- Umuahia Central – Prince Mayor Ukaegbu
- Umuahia East – Nwachukwu Chimezie Innocent
- Umuahia North – Okwulehe Onyendi
- Umuahia South – Chibuike Peter Onyeulo
- Umunneochi – Uche Ebere Stanley
Party Statements
In a statement issued on Friday, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Uche Aguoru, said the candidates emerged through what he described as peaceful, transparent, and credible primary elections. Aguoru congratulated all successful candidates and expressed confidence in their ability to provide effective representation and advance the APC's Renewed Hope Agenda. “We are confident in their capacity to provide effective and people-oriented representation at the National Assembly while advancing the ideals of the APC and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” he said. The party also commended aspirants, delegates, officials, and stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful and credible primary election process across the state. Certificates of return were subsequently presented to the successful candidates.
