‘I’m not dead’ – Abia APC Senatorial candidate, Erondu cries out over alleged name substitution

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., has rejected the alleged substitution of his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the purported action as unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a press statement personally signed on Saturday, Erondu said he is not dead and remains the duly nominated APC candidate for Abia South.

Erondu, who is currently a member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Obingwa West Constituency, said the primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District returned him as the winner.

Erondu Jr. said his mandate was declared by the APC National Working Committee in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). He added that he was issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South primary election results on June 30, 2026.

He expressed concern over reports that his name had been replaced with Paul Ikonne in violation of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, he explained that a political party can only substitute a candidate where the candidate dies, voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or where a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination.

“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 I have not withdrawn my candidature.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 Jr. declared.

Erondu therefore called on the APC National Working Committee and INEC to remain guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The Abia State chapter of the APC had, on July 1, 2026, declared Erondu Uchenna Erondu as the party’s candidate to challenge the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate, Enyinnaya Abaribe.