Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, operating under the banner of the Abia-South APC Vanguard, have urged the national leadership of the party to uphold the outcome of the recently conducted Abia South Senatorial Primary Election and resist any attempt to undermine the process.

The group maintained that the result of the primary reflects the will of party members across the senatorial district and argued that the APC requires a widely accepted candidate to effectively challenge the incumbent senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, in the 2027 general election.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Convener of the group, Sir Don Ubani, expressed support for the primary election that produced Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr. as the party’s senatorial candidate.

According to Ubani, Erondu emerged victorious in the primary election held on May 18, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District.

He alleged that one of the aspirants, Prince Paul Ikonne, was absent during the conduct of the primary election and therefore had no basis to challenge the outcome of the exercise.

Ubani stated that party members turned out massively to participate in the election and overwhelmingly endorsed Erondu Jnr., whom he described as a popular and grassroots-oriented politician.

He further claimed that Erondu secured a convincing victory, while Dr. Nyerere Anyim Nyerere finished as the runner-up in the contest.

The APC chieftain alleged that there were attempts by some interests to push for a different outcome despite what he described as a transparent and credible primary process.

He cautioned the party leadership against yielding to pressure that could undermine the wishes of APC members in the district, insisting that Erondu remains the strongest candidate capable of unseating Senator Abaribe.

Ubani argued that imposing another aspirant on the party could weaken APC’s chances in the 2027 election and negatively affect the party’s growing influence in Abia State.

He also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for his contributions toward strengthening the APC in the state and urged party leaders to protect the unity and progress achieved so far.

Highlighting Erondu’s credentials, Ubani described him as a philanthropist and grassroots mobilizer whose empowerment initiatives have positively impacted party structures across Abia South.

According to him, Erondu, who currently represents Obingwa West State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, has donated vehicles and motorcycles to party officials across the senatorial district to support party administration and grassroots coordination.

He noted that all 65 APC ward chairmen in Abia South received motorcycles, while the six local government party chairmen were provided with vehicles through Erondu’s personal intervention.

Ubani added that these contributions played a significant role in enhancing party activities and logistics during the recently concluded primary elections.

The group reiterated its call on the APC national leadership to respect the outcome of the primary election and allow the candidate chosen by party members to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 senatorial contest.