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

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

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr., has rejected reports alleging that he has been substituted as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the purported action as unlawful, unconstitutional, and of no legal effect.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Erondu Jnr. maintained that he emerged as the duly elected APC candidate during the party’s direct primary election held on May 18, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District.

According to him, the primary election was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies, after which he was declared winner by the APC Primary Election Committee.

He further stated that following petitions lodged by dissatisfied aspirants, the APC Appeal Committee reviewed the conduct of the primary election and unanimously upheld his victory.

Erondu Jnr. also 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 nominated candidate of the party for the senatorial district.

Reacting to reports of an alleged substitution of his name with that of Prince Paul Ikonne, Erondu Jnr. argued that such a move would violate the provisions of Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, which permits the substitution of a candidate only in cases of death, voluntary withdrawal through a personally signed notice, or a court order.

Declaring that none of the conditions applies to him, he stated:

“I am alive. I have not withdrawn my candidature. I have never signed or submitted any notice withdrawing my candidature to the All Progressives Congress.”

He called on the APC National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party to uphold the rule of law, respect the outcome of the primary election, and preserve the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.

Erondu Jnr. also urged INEC to continue to be guided by the Electoral Act and the official records in its custody, particularly the Certified True Copy of the primary election report, which he said confirms his nomination.

While appealing for calm among his supporters, members of the APC, the Igodo Igwe Foundation, the Erondu Jnr. Mandate Support Group, and other stakeholders, he urged them to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them that every lawful and constitutional means would be explored to protect the mandate he said was freely given to him by party members.