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_Photo Credit: The Sun Nigeria
Erondu Rejects Alleged Substitution as APC Abia South Candidate, Says Nomination Still Valid
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, has dismissed reports of an alleged substitution of his candidature ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Erondu described the purported substitution as unlawful, unconstitutional and of no legal effect, insisting that he remains the duly elected candidate of the party.
In a statement issued on Monday, the lawmaker, who represents Obingwa-West State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, said he emerged winner of the APC’s direct primary election held on May 18 across the 65 electoral wards in the six Local Government Areas of Abia South.
He said the primary was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, and was conducted transparently in line with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
According to him, he was officially declared winner and returned as the APC senatorial candidate by the Primary Election Committee set up by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The former Chairman of Obingwa LGA added that petitions filed by some aggrieved aspirants were reviewed by the APC Appeal Committee, which unanimously upheld his victory.
He further stated that INEC issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South senatorial primary election report on June 30, confirming him as the party’s candidate.
Erondu expressed shock over reports that his name was allegedly being replaced with that of Prince Paul Ikonne, arguing that any such move violates the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) and the APC constitution.
Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, he noted that a political party can only substitute a candidate in the event of death, voluntary withdrawal via a personally signed written notice to the party, or a court order.
“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 I have not withdrawn my candidature.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 declared.
He called on the APC National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party to uphold the rule of law, respect the mandate given to him by party members, and preserve the integrity of the party’s internal democracy.
He also urged INEC to be guided by the Electoral Act and its official records, including the CTC report of June 30.
While addressing his supporters, members of the APC, the Igodo Igwe Foundation and the Erondu Jnr Mandate Support Group, Erondu urged them to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, and not to be distracted by rumours.
He said they should remain focused on supporting the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu while lawful means are explored to protect his mandate, expressing confidence that justice and due process will prevail.
Efforts to get a reaction from the APC National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa, were unsuccessful as he declined to comment at the time of filing this report.
Source: The Sun Nigeria –