Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia South Senatorial District have commended the party’s National Leader and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Nentawe Yilwatda, for what they described as their commitment to equity and fairness in the party’s just-concluded primary elections.
The members made their position known on Tuesday during a press conference in Aba read by honourable Chinwe Nwanganga, where they described Prince Paul Ikonne as a politician with an impressive track record and the right choice to represent Abia South Senatorial District in the National Assembly. They also expressed confidence in Sam Nwogu as the party’s candidate for Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency.
They expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the APC National Working Committee for what they called exemplary leadership and for ensuring that the principles of justice and fairness prevailed during the primaries.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Abia South Senatorial District, the group appreciated the President and the party leadership for their impartiality, diligence and commitment to democratic values, noting that the transparent and credible conduct of the primaries had strengthened internal democracy and provided a clear direction for the party ahead of the general elections.
According to Nwanganga, the authentic congresses produced Prince Paul Ikonne as the APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District and Barrister Sam Nwogu as the party’s candidate for Ukwa Federal Constituency. They thanked President Tinubu and the National Working Committee for listening to the people’s demand for equity and restoring what they described as their mandate.
The group further stated that, over the last 28 years of Nigeria’s current democratic dispensation, Obingwa Local Government Area had occupied the Abia South Senate seat for about 20 years. They also acknowledged the appointment of former Abia State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, describing it as a well-deserved honour for the people of the zone and commending President Tinubu for the appointment.
Highlighting Prince Ikonne’s credentials, the group said his emergence as the APC candidate reflected his over two decades of political experience and public service. They noted that he served as Special Adviser to former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu before becoming Commissioner for Lands between 2007 and 2008 and Commissioner for Works and Transport from 2008 to 2009.
They recalled that Prince Ikonne contested the 2011 governorship election on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), describing the move as evidence of his long-standing commitment to public service and grassroots politics.
The group also praised his performance as the former Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), where he served from 2020 to 2025. According to them, his administration recorded significant achievements in agricultural and land development across the country, adding that his experience in managing a key federal agency gives him an advantage and positions him to provide effective representation for Abia South at the Senate.
They maintained that the party’s decision to prioritise equity, justice and fairness in the conduct of its affairs demonstrated responsible leadership and should not be taken for granted.
The members pledged their total support for all APC candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, Prince Paul Ikonne and other party flag bearers, expressing confidence that the party would record victory in the 2027 general elections.
They declared that the “Tinubu Tsunami” would begin from Abia South before spreading to other parts of the state, expressing optimism that the party would consolidate its gains and deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.
The group also thanked President Tinubu and the National Working Committee for what they described as wise and fair leadership, saying they were confident it would lead the APC to victory.
They further maintained that the decision of the National Working Committee supersedes every other decision regarding the primaries and insisted that Prince Paul Ikonne has the capacity, popularity and experience to defeat any opponent in the 2027 National Assembly election.
