APC Stakeholders Reject Abia Central Senatorial Primary, Allege Vote Allocation and “Brigandage”

Fresh controversy has erupted within the All Progressives Congress in Abia State after stakeholders in Abia Central Senatorial District rejected the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary, describing the exercise as a “farcical display of brigandage.”

The aggrieved party members accused unnamed politicians of hijacking the May 18, 2026 primary election process and allegedly announcing fabricated results in wards where no voting reportedly took place.

In a protest letter addressed to the national leadership of the APC, the stakeholders said party faithful were denied the opportunity to participate in a transparent process despite expectations that the adoption of direct primaries would guarantee fairness and inclusiveness ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The petition, signed by Uche Onyejekwe and Mrs. Ego Nwamuo, claimed the exercise failed to reflect the democratic values the ruling party publicly promotes.

“We regret to inform you that the party lost a golden opportunity to advertise its commitment to internal democracy and citizen inclusivity,” the protesters stated.

According to the stakeholders, several wards across the senatorial district reportedly received no officials, security personnel, or representatives from the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee, yet results were later announced with what they described as “fictitious figures.”

The protesters alleged that the outcome appeared predetermined from the beginning, insisting that figures were allegedly written and allocated behind closed doors without any real accreditation or voting process in many polling areas.

They specifically questioned the announcement of Emeka Atumah as the winner of the primary, arguing that the figures credited to candidates were “outrageous and bewildering” considering that voting allegedly did not occur in several wards.

The stakeholders also challenged the role played by one Hon. Thomas Nkoro, who they claimed announced results despite allegedly not being a member of the official seven-man committee sent from Abuja to supervise the primary election.

Among the wards mentioned by the protesters as areas where no election allegedly took place were Oloko Ward 2, Usaka Ward in Ikwuano Local Government Area, Osisioma Wards 2, 3, 8 and 9, Ntighauzo Primary School, and Okporo Ahaba Ward 1.

The stakeholders said party members who arrived early at the various locations waited throughout the day without accreditation, voting materials, or election officials before hearing that results had already been compiled elsewhere.

They further called on the APC national leadership to launch a full investigation into the conduct of the primary, review the announced results, and order a repeat election in areas where there was allegedly no evidence of public participation.

The protesters also urged the party leadership to identify and sanction those responsible for what they described as confusion and manipulation capable of damaging the APC’s image ahead of the 2027 elections.