The All Progressives Congress in Abia State says it will announce the results of its senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries by 8:pm today Thursday.
The party also disclosed that if the governorship primary results are concluded before the end of the day, they will equally be announced while declaration certificates would be presented to winners to enable members of the committee return to Abuja ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for Saturday.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday evening, the Abia State Chairman of the APC, Chijioke Chukwu, said the party successfully conducted its primaries in compliance with the party constitution, the Electoral Act and guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the primaries commenced on May 15, 2026, with the House of Representatives elections, followed by the Senate primaries on May 18 and the State House of Assembly primaries held on Wednesday, May 20.
Chukwu explained that the APC adopted only two recognised methods for conducting the primaries — consensus and direct primaries. He noted that consensus involved aspirants voluntarily stepping down for a particular candidate, while direct primaries were adopted where consensus failed.
He stated that candidates emerged in all constituencies for the House of Representatives, Senate and State House of Assembly positions, with results announced at designated constituency and senatorial district headquarters approved by INEC.
The APC chairman disclosed that the party had already commenced issuing declaration certificates to winners of the various primaries, while collation of results for the governorship primary was still ongoing.
He revealed that three aspirants participated in the governorship contest, namely Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, Chief Eric Opia and Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu.
However, Chukwu announced that Hon. Mascot Uzor Kalu voluntarily withdrew from the governorship race in the interest of party unity.
According to him, Kalu decided not to continue with the governorship ambition because his elder brother, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had already emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate.
He said the withdrawal was not influenced by pressure or persuasion but was a personal decision aimed at preserving the party’s zoning arrangement and supporting his brother’s senatorial ambition.
The APC chairman further stated that security arrangements throughout the primary elections were effective, with only minor disagreements recorded in a few areas.
He commended security agencies, including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for providing adequate security during the exercise.
Chukwu also praised INEC for monitoring the primaries at the ward, constituency and state levels, insisting that the APC fully complied with all electoral guidelines.
On allegations surrounding zoning arrangements within the party, the APC chairman clarified that there was no official zoning decision by the State Working Committee.
He explained that previous comments attributed to the party on zoning were taken out of context and did not represent the official position of the APC.
According to him, both the Nigerian Constitution and the APC constitution give every qualified member the right to contest for any elective office.
He also dismissed claims that the National Working Committee barred state officials from announcing primary results, explaining that only designated collation and returning officers were empowered to declare results at various levels.
Chukwu assured party members that the APC would establish a reconciliation committee immediately after the primaries to address grievances arising from the exercise and strengthen party unity ahead of the general elections.
He acknowledged logistical and financial challenges encountered during the primaries, including transportation of election materials from Abuja and limited time for training personnel.
The APC chairman disclosed that party leaders, including the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and other stakeholders, provided financial and logistical support that enabled the smooth conduct of the primaries.
He equally expressed appreciation to the Commissioner of Police, DSS officials and other security operatives for their support and prompt response throughout the exercise.
