By Oji Okoroafor
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, says the APC in Abia will not give automatic tickets to aspirants in the party primaries.
Speaking at the Pre-Primary Election Stakeholders Engagement at the new APC Secretariat on Fimbarr’s Road, Umuahia, on May 14, Kalu warned against attempts to secure tickets through backdoor means. He stressed that all aspirants must follow due process.
“There is no automatic ticket for anybody, there is no automatic list for anybody. All those things are fake news,” Kalu said.
He explained that there are two recognised pathways to becoming the party’s candidate: consensus and direct primaries.
The Deputy Speaker urged aspirants to be patient, noting that not everyone can win or hold office at the same time. “Some will win, some will wait,” he said.
Kalu recalled waiting 17 years before his appointment, saying patience, dedication, and sacrifice pay off in politics.
He called for unity within the party and warned against internal wranglings that could weaken it. He also said that power comes from God and commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to improve the welfare of Nigerians and implement policies to grow the economy.
Also speaking, APC State Chairman Chukwu Chijioke said the party in Abia is united. He described the recent screening of State House of Assembly aspirants as successful and peaceful, adding that the sale of forms went smoothly.
Chijioke announced the party’s relocation to its new office on Fimbarr’s Road, saying the move aligns with its vision for growth ahead of the 2027 elections. He noted that the former office was on Azikiwe Road and that the shift would be completed in two days.
He reminded members that they own the polling units and have played a key role in Abia politics since 1999.
Chukwu expressed confidence that the APC would win the presidential election in 2027 and urged members to register with INEC and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards.
