The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., has rejected the alleged substitution of his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, characterising the alleged conduct as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a press statement signed on Saturday, Erondu stated that he is still the validly nominated APC candidate for Abia South.
Erondu, who is now a member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing the Obingwa West Constituency, stated that the primary election held on May 16, 2026, throughout the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District returned him as the winner.
Erondu Jr. stated that the APC National Working Committee declared his mandate in front of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services. He further stated that he was given a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South primary election results on June 30, 2026.
He raised alarm over claims that his name had been changed to Paul Ikonne in violation of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act of 2026, he stated that a political party can only substitute a candidate if the candidate dies, voluntarily withdraws via a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination.
“I’m alive. I haven’t withdrawn my candidature. “I have never signed or submitted a notice withdrawing my candidature from the All Progressives Congress,” Erondu Jr. stated.
Erondu urged the APC National Working Committee and INEC to follow the requirements of the Electoral Act.
On July 1, 2026, the Abia State chapter of the APC declared Erondu Uchenna Erondu as the party’s nominee to fight the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate, Enyinnaya Abaribe.