Eric Opah Emerges Abia APC Guber Flagbearer, Party Unveils Legislative Candidates

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has confirmed Mr. Eric Opah, an international businessman, as its gubernatorial flagbearer for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The party also revealed its chosen candidates for both the National Assembly and the State House of Assembly contests.

Initially, three contenders – Mascot Uzor Kalu, Henry Ikoh, and Eric Opah – were cleared to participate in the governorship primary election. However, Mascot Uzor Kalu withdrew from the contest on Wednesday, the day before the scheduled exercise, narrowing the race to Ikoh and Opah.

Mr. Bartho Nyelong, who served as the Chairman of the Abia State Governorship and State House of Assembly Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, declared Opah the victor. Opah secured a significant 125,977 votes, defeating Ikoh, who garnered 5,905 votes.

In addition to the governorship candidate, the party announced the winners of its National Assembly and State House of Assembly primaries, which were conducted across Abia State in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Comrade Uche Aguoru, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, issued a statement on Friday, asserting that all candidates emerged from peaceful, transparent, and credible primary elections.

For the House of Representatives primaries held on May 16, the successful candidates include: Hon. Chris Nkwonta for Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency; Chief Udo Alozie for Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbor Federal Constituency; Hon. Uzo Azubuike for Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency; Chief Uzo Ihuka for Isiala Ngwa North/Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency; Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for Bende Federal Constituency; and Mr. Ikenna Ukwa for Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency.

In the senatorial primaries conducted on May 18, the APC presented its candidates as: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for Abia North Senatorial District; Hon. Emeka Atuma for Abia Central Senatorial District; and Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr. for Abia South Senatorial District.

Furthermore, the party released the list of candidates for the State House of Assembly elections. These include: Aaron Emmanuel Azubuike (Aba North), Akpulonu Chinedu (Aba South), Ike Okoroafor (Arochukwu), Orji Udeagha (Bende North), Ishiowu Chika (Ikwuano), Alex Chibuikem (Isiala Ngwa North), Esihe Chibuzo Patrick (Isiala Ngwa South), Nwobilo Peace Ulonnaya (Aba Central), Chimaobi Agbaeze Victor (Isuikwuato), Justice Ihuoma Ogbonna (Obingwa East), Maduka Akpulonu (Obingwa West), Otuwe Kalu Oji (Ohafia North), Nelson Uchechukwu (Ohafia South), Iheyinna Ositadinma Mgbeahuru (Osisioma North), Iheanacho Godwin Ogumnka (Osisioma South), Samuel Eze Nwanganga (Ugwunagbo), Adiele Edwin Ekeke (Ukwa East), Silvanus Nwaji (Ukwa West), Prince Mayor Ukaegbu (Umuahia Central), Nwachukwu Chimezie Innocent (Umuahia East), Okwulehe Onyendi (Umuahia North), Chibuike Peter Onyeulo (Umuahia South), and Uche Ebere Stanley (Umunneochi).

Aguoru extended his congratulations to all the successful candidates, expressing confidence in their ability to provide effective representation and advance the APC’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” He stated, “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.” The party also commended all aspirants, delegates, officials, and stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful and credible primary election process across the state. Certificates of return were subsequently issued to the chosen candidates.