My attention has been drawn to reports of a purported substitution of my name as the duly nominated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Abia South Senatorial District in the forthcoming 2027 General Election.
I categorically reject this purported substitution as unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect. It is a direct assault on the democratic will of the members of our great party who freely elected me during the APC Abia South Senatorial District Direct Primary Election held on 18 May 2026 across the 65 electoral wards in the six (6) Local Government Areas of Abia South Senatorial District. The primary election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other relevant security agencies. The reported substitution also raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
I emerged victorious in that primary election following a transparent, credible, and duly conducted process. At the conclusion of the exercise, I was officially declared winner and returned as the duly elected APC candidate by the Primary Election Committee constituted by the National Working Committee of our great party.
Following petitions submitted by dissatisfied aspirants, the Party’s Appeal Committee thoroughly reviewed the conduct of the primary election and unanimously affirmed my victory, thereby upholding the decision of the Primary Election Committee.
Furthermore, the authenticity of my nomination is reflected in the official records of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). On 30 June 2026, INEC issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South Senatorial Primary Election Report confirming my declaration as the duly elected APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District.
It is therefore astonishing that, despite the declaration of the Primary Election Committee, the unanimous affirmation by the Appeal Committee, and the official Certified True Copy issued by INEC (copies attached), there are reported attempts to substitute my name with that of Prince Paul Ikonne.
For the avoidance of doubt, Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026 provides that a political party shall not substitute the name of a candidate whose name has been submitted to INEC except where:
1.) The candidate dies;
2.) The candidate voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the political party; or
3.) a court of competent jurisdiction makes an order affecting the nomination.
I am alive.
I have not withdrawn my candidature.
I have never signed or submitted any notice withdrawing my candidature to the All Progressives Congress.
Accordingly, I maintain that any purported substitution of my name would be contrary to the Electoral Act, the Constitution of our great party, and the principles of internal party democracy.
I therefore call on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress and all relevant organs of our party to uphold the rule of law, respect the mandate freely given to me by APC members across Abia South Senatorial District, honour the decisions of both the Primary Election Committee and the Appeal Committee, and preserve the integrity and credibility of our party’s democratic processes.
I also respectfully urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to continue to be guided by the Electoral Act and the official records in its custody, including the Certified True Copy of the APC Abia South Senatorial Primary Election Report issued on 30 June 2026, which confirms my emergence as the duly elected APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District.
To my numerous supporters across Abia South Senatorial District, the leadership and members of our great party, members of the Igodo Igwe Foundation, the Erondu Jnr. Mandate Support Group, and all stakeholders who believe in justice, fairness, and the rule of law, I urge you to remain calm, peaceful, law-abiding, steadfast, and united.
Do not be distracted by rumours or misinformation. Remain focused and continue to support the re-election of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while we pursue every lawful and constitutional avenue available to protect the mandate freely given to us by members of our party.
At the appropriate time, we shall communicate our next course of action as we continue to seek justice and uphold the integrity of the APC’s internal democratic process.
I remain confident that truth, justice, due process, and the rule of law will prevail.
Long Live APC Abia South!
Long Live the All Progressives Congress!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr.
APC Candidate
Abia South Senatorial District
1 August 2026
