ABIA SOUTH 2027: Erondu Jnr Rejects Alleged Substitution as APC Abia South Senatorial Candidate, Insists Nomination Remains Valid

Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, has rejected reports alleging that his name has been substituted as the party’s candidate for the 2027 General Election, describing the move as unlawful, unconstitutional, and without legal effect.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, Erondu maintained that he emerged as the duly elected APC candidate after the party’s direct primary election conducted on May 18, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District. According to him, the exercise was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies.

He stated that he was officially declared winner by the APC Primary Election Committee constituted by the party’s National Working Committee and noted that subsequent petitions filed by dissatisfied aspirants were reviewed by the APC Appeal Committee, which unanimously upheld his victory.

Erondu further disclosed that INEC issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South Senatorial Primary Election Report on June 30, 2026, confirming him as the duly elected APC candidate for the district.

He expressed concern over reports suggesting that his name was being replaced with that of Prince Paul Ikonne, insisting that any such action would violate the Electoral Act, 2026, the APC Constitution, and the principles of internal party democracy.

Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, Erondu argued that a political party can only substitute a candidate in the event of death, voluntary withdrawal through a personally signed notice, or by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction. He emphasized that none of these conditions applies to his case, stating that he is alive, has not withdrawn his candidature, and has never submitted any notice relinquishing his nomination.

The APC candidate called on the National Working Committee of the party and all relevant organs to respect the mandate given to him by party members, uphold the decisions of both the Primary Election Committee and the Appeal Committee, and preserve the credibility of the party’s internal democratic process.

He also urged INEC to remain guided by the Electoral Act and the official records in its custody, including the Certified True Copy of the primary election report confirming his emergence as the APC candidate.

Addressing his supporters, party members, the Igodo Igwe Foundation, the Erondu Jnr Mandate Support Group, and other stakeholders, Erondu appealed for calm and urged them to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and united while lawful steps are taken to protect what he described as the mandate freely given to him by APC members.

He added that further actions would be communicated at the appropriate time, expressing confidence that truth, justice, due process, and the rule of law would ultimately prevail.