The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Saturday conducted parallel primaries for the Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency seat, with two leading aspirants, Chris Nkwonta and Sam Nwaogu, both claiming victory.
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The primary election that produced Barrister Sam Nwaogu, a former Commissioner for Environment in Abia State, reportedly took place in the morning. Eyewitnesses said the exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission alongside security agencies and party officials delegated to supervise the election.
However, the parallel primary that produced Hon. Chris Nkwonta, the member representing Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was held later in the day. The presence of INEC officials or members of the APC National Working Committee at the exercise could not be independently confirmed.
Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Chief Uche Aguoru, acknowledged delays in the commencement of the primary, attributing the situation to logistical challenges. He stated that the exercise was expected to begin by 4 p.m. after a stakeholders’ meeting at the party secretariat in the state capital.
While journalists awaited the official commencement of the exercise, reports and results from different quarters had already begun circulating on social media, particularly from the Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency.
There were also allegations of internal divisions within the APC, as sources claimed that election materials meant for the primaries were allegedly hijacked earlier in the day at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport by a faction believed to be loyal to a South-East APC Governor.
Developments surrounding the exercise are still unfolding.
