APC risks defeat in Abia if primary crisis persists — Founding member, Esiaga

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Mezie Chiekwe Esiaga, has cautioned his party to resolve the crisis arising from its governorship primary in Abia State or risk a major defeat in 2027.

Esiaga, who was speaking on the chances of his party in the 2027 polls, alleged that Eric Opah, who won the APC governorship ticket, was imposed on members by the party’s state leadership.

He further alleged that the process that produced Eric Opah as the party’s candidate in May 2026 lacked credibility, claiming that several APC members may not work for the party’s victory in 2027 if the current candidate’s name appears on the ballot.

According to him, the governorship primary was won by the former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Henry Ikoh, and not by Eric Opah.

He warned that a major defeat awaits the APC in Abia in 2027 if the ticket is not returned to the former minister.

Responding to Esiaga’s claims, the APC Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Uche Aguoru, said the emergence of a candidate comes through a party primary election, not propaganda.

Aguoru, who advised Esiaga to wait for the APC National Working Committee to release the full list of candidates, also dismissed his prediction of an APC defeat in Abia.

The publicity secretary further denied allegations that Eric Opah was only a two-week-old member of the party before emerging as the APC governorship candidate.