Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., has firmly rejected reports that his name has been replaced with that of Paul Ikonne as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the alleged substitution as unlawful, unconstitutional, and a direct violation of the Electoral Act. The lawmaker, who currently represents Obingwa West Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, issued a personally signed statement on Saturday, August 1, 2026, insisting that he remains the duly nominated candidate of the APC for the senatorial district. Erondu’s declaration came barely 48 hours after his party’s state chapter had publicly announced him as its candidate to challenge the Labour Party’s incumbent Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who is widely regarded as one of the most formidable politicians in the South-East.
Erondu traced the legitimacy of his candidature to the APC direct primary election held on May 16, 2026, across all 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas that constitute Abia South Senatorial District. According to the lawmaker, the primary was conducted in the full glare of officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), and the results were formally declared by the APC National Working Committee. To further solidify his claim, Erondu disclosed that he was issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the primary election results on June 30, 2026, which officially recognises him as the APC's senatorial candidate. He maintained that his victory was not only endorsed by the Primary Election Committee but was also upheld by the APC Appeal Committee after all petitions from aggrieved aspirants were duly reviewed and dismissed.
Reacting to the swirling reports that his name had been replaced with Paul Ikonne, the Abia lawmaker expressed deep concern and warned that such an action would amount to a flagrant breach of the Electoral Act, 2026. Citing Section 33 of the Act, Erondu argued that a political party can only substitute a candidate under three specific and limited circumstances: if the candidate dies, if the candidate voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or if a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination. He maintained that none of these conditions applied to him. “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,” Erondu declared, making it clear that any attempt to replace him would be a nullity in the eyes of the law.
The controversy adds another layer of tension to the already volatile political landscape of Abia South, where the APC had been hoping to mount a serious challenge to the Labour Party’s dominance. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the incumbent, is one of the most experienced legislators in the National Assembly and has held the seat since 2003. The APC’s internal squabble, if not resolved quickly, could severely weaken the party’s chances of unseating him. Party insiders have expressed anxiety that the alleged substitution, which was reportedly driven by pressure from influential party leaders and state governors, could trigger a court battle and further expose the party to accusations of impunity and disregard for internal democracy.
Erondu has called on the APC National Working Committee and INEC to be guided strictly by the provisions of the Electoral Act and to respect the mandate freely given to him by the people of Abia South. He warned that the substitution, if allowed to stand, would not only disenfranchise the voters who participated in the primary but would also set a dangerous precedent for future elections. He appealed to his supporters to remain peaceful, united, and focused, while assuring them that he would take all lawful steps to protect his mandate. Expressing confidence in the judicial process, the embattled candidate maintained that truth, justice, due process, and the rule of law will ultimately prevail.
As the Abia South senatorial race heats up, the APC now faces a critical decision: either to rally behind its duly elected candidate and avoid a self-inflicted wound, or to proceed with the substitution and risk a protracted legal battle that could derail its campaign. For now, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr. has made his position clear—he is alive, he has not withdrawn, and he remains the legitimate candidate of the All Progressives Congress. Whether the party leadership will listen or choose to test the limits of the Electoral Act remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for the soul of Abia South has only just begun.
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