Abia guber: Ikoh petitions APC governorship appeal committee against Opiah’s declaration

A frontline governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State in the just-concluded primary election, Henry Ikoh, has formally submitted a protest letter to the APC Governorship Primary Election Appeal Committee, challenging the declaration of Eric Opiah as the winner of the Abia State APC governorship primary.

In the petition, Ikoh averred that he was duly adopted as the consensus governorship candidate of the party by 13 out of the 18 members of the State Working Committee (SWC), in line with the provisions and guidelines of the APC for the emergence of consensus candidates.

The former Minister of State for Science and Technology stated that the overwhelming endorsement by the majority members of the SWC followed extensive consultations among party stakeholders across the state, aimed at ensuring unity, fairness, and the emergence of a broadly acceptable candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

He expressed surprise over the subsequent declaration of another aspirant as the winner of the primary despite the fact that he was the candidate by a valid and duly documented consensus arrangement overwhelmingly backed by the party leadership in the state.

The former minister further explained that he was also the popular choice of voters during the primaries, wondering how another person was declared the winner against the will of the people.

Ikoh said he deemed it necessary to petition the Appeal Committee to protect the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process and to ensure that justice, equity, and due process prevail.

“I remain a loyal and committed member of the APC, and my decision to approach the Appeal Committee is borne out of the need to uphold the truth and safeguard the credibility of our great party.

“The consensus arrangement that produced my candidature was genuine, lawful, and supported by 13 out of 18 SWC members,” Ikoh stated.