The emergence of Mr. Eric Opah as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Abia State for the 2027 election has ignited internal discord within the party. A founding member has cautioned that the party could face a significant electoral defeat if the controversy surrounding the primary is not resolved.
Founding Member Denounces Primary as 'Sham'
Hon. Mezie Chiekwe Esiaga, a founding member of the APC in Abia State, described the primary that produced Opah as lacking credibility. He warned that the party risks a disastrous outcome in the upcoming governorship election if what he termed an injustice against long-standing members is not rectified.
Esiaga recalled that the governorship race initially involved two prominent aspirants—Chief Henry Ikoh and Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu—before Opah reportedly emerged shortly before the primary. “I saw Eric Opah for the first time on May 14 during a meeting in Umuahia, a few hours before our primary. As one of the founding members of this party, it surprised me that someone who, to the best of my knowledge, had barely spent two weeks in the APC, suddenly emerged as a governorship aspirant,” he said.
Questioning Opah's Loyalty
Esiaga further questioned the decision to present Opah as the party's flag bearer, alleging that the candidate had previously praised the administration of Abia State Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party. “How can a man who recently stood before a gathering and commended Governor Otti, saying his people in Lagos would organize a reception for him because he was doing well, suddenly become the person carrying the APC governorship banner? It is difficult for me to understand what happened during that primary,” Esiaga stated.
Call for Henry Ikoh's Candidacy
The party stalwart argued that with the withdrawal of Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu from the race, the APC should have awarded its ticket to Chief Henry Ikoh, whom he described as a loyal member who has contributed significantly to building the party structure in Abia State. “Henry Ikoh has worked tirelessly for the party over the years. As a former commissioner and former minister, and a familiar face in Abia APC, he merited and deserved the governorship ticket if we truly want to compete,” he added.
Warning of Electoral Consequences
Esiaga warned that overlooking Ikoh could cost the party dearly at the polls, insisting that the former minister enjoys both grassroots support and statewide appeal. “In 2022, I warned them about what would happen in 2023 when we imposed an unpopular governorship candidate, and we lost woefully. If Henry Ikoh is not on the ballot, the outcome may even be worse than what we recorded in the last governorship election,” he cautioned.
He also disclosed plans to petition President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging intervention to resolve the growing crisis within the party. “I am preparing a letter to Mr. President because this matter requires urgent attention. We cannot afford to make mistakes that will hand victory to our opponents even before the election,” Esiaga said.
Esiaga added that aggrieved members are demanding a review of the party's governorship primary in Abia, warning that failure to resolve the controversy could lead to a major setback for the APC in 2027.
