2027: Abia APC Allocates Governorship Ticket to Central Region, Explains Decision

The All Progressives Congress in Abia State has designated the 2027 governorship ticket to Abia Central Senatorial District, a move intended to foster equity and balanced representation, according to the party.

n

This decision was disclosed in a statement released on Friday by the party's publicity secretary, Chief Uche Aguoru, to inform aspirants seeking to purchase expression of interest and nomination forms.

n

The zoning arrangement is in line with the party's internal power-sharing understanding, which takes into account that the current state chairman is from Abia North, while the immediate past governor emerged from Abia South.

n

The party emphasized that equity and fairness necessitate giving Abia Central the opportunity to produce the next governor, aligning with the state's long-standing rotational principle since 1999.

n

Chief Henry Ikoh, a former minister of science and technology and a frontline aspirant from the zone, welcomed the decision as a step toward justice and inclusiveness, urging party members and aspirants from other zones to support the resolution for unity.

n

Ikoh expressed confidence that the party would secure victory in the 2027 polls, stating "Abia is now a low-hanging fruit for the APC," and appreciated the party leadership for the decision, which he believes will promote equity and fairness.

n

The APC called on stakeholders across the state to respect the zoning arrangement and work collectively toward winning the governorship election, as outlined in the party's statement.

n

The statement notified party members and the general public that the APC in Abia State has zoned its governorship ticket to Abia Central Senatorial District, serving as a guide for members and intending aspirants in the purchase of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.

n

The decision was made in the interest of equity, justice, and fair play, and in line with the party's commitment to balanced representation across the three senatorial zones, considering the state's power rotation understanding since 1999.

n

The party's decision was also based on the fact that the state chairman hails from Abia North, while Abia South produced the immediate past governor, making it just and equitable for Abia Central to produce the next governor on the APC platform.

n

The APC appealed to all aspirants and stakeholders from other zones to respect this decision in the spirit of sportsmanship, urging them to work together to secure victory for the party.

n

The latest development may have hindered the rumoured governorship ambition of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who is from the Abia North senatorial district.

n

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a two-term governor of the state who now serves in the Senate, also hails from the same Bende Local Government Area as the Deputy Speaker.