The political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abia State gathered fresh momentum on Sunday, August 16, 2026, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency and Abia South Senatorial District, Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu and Prince Paul Ikonne, respectively, held a strategic consultation with the Asa Liberation Movement (ALM) in Ukwa West Local Government Area.
The high-powered engagement, held at Umuajuoha, Obuzor Asa, the country home of ALM President, Hon. Emeka Adiele, brought together leaders and members of the movement, APC stakeholders and other political actors from across Ukwa.
The consultation was aimed at opening direct discussions with the influential grassroots organisation and seeking its support for the APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during the meeting, ALM spokesperson, Comrade Charles Ehiemere, traced the history of the organisation and its involvement in political activities in Asa land since its establishment in 2022.
Ehiemere disclosed that Chief Nwogu was the first political stakeholder to support the movement after its formation, describing the gesture as part of the organisation’s history and relationship with political stakeholders in the area.
He said ALM had remained active in mobilising support and promoting what it considers the political interests of the Asa people.
In his remarks, Chief Nwogu formally presented his political mandate to the movement and appealed to its leadership and members to support his bid to represent Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
The APC candidate also sought the adoption of his mandate as a life member of the organisation, while urging the movement and the wider Ukwa electorate to put past political disagreements behind them and focus on the future.
Nwogu, who highlighted his achievements at the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC) and as Abia’s representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said his ambition was driven by a desire to provide effective representation for the constituency.
He urged the people to assess him based on his record rather than what he described as misinformation surrounding his political activities.
“I am here to tell the good people of Ukwa that I am the 2027 APC flag bearer for Ukwa Federal Constituency, and to seek your mandate. Please, let’s look beyond the speculated misinformation about me. All that had happened in time past was all politics and party supremacy. Keep aside the past and chart a way forward, supporting my candidacy for better leadership,” Nwogu said.
Also speaking, Prince Paul Ikonne thanked the ALM leadership for the reception and acknowledged the organisation’s grassroots activities and political influence across the area.
Ikonne appealed for the association’s support, stressing that collective action among political stakeholders would be critical to achieving what he described as a new political direction for Ukwa and Abia South.
He lamented what he described as the prolonged denial of Ukwa West and Aba areas of opportunities to occupy key elective positions, drawing parallels between the political experiences of Ukwa West and the wider Abia South Senatorial District.
“Ukwa will benefit from our leadership and this is the best time for change in both Ukwa Federal Constituency and Abia South Senatorial District by extension. Ukwa West and Aba zone have suffered the intentional withholding of HoR and Senatorial seats in both Ukwa East and Obingwa for twenty years uninterrupted. We share similarities to that effect,” Ikonne said.
Responding on behalf of ALM, its President, Hon. Emeka Adiele, expressed appreciation to Chief Nwogu and Prince Ikonne for visiting the organisation and engaging directly with its members.
Adiele described the visit as significant, stressing that the movement had developed what he described as a formidable grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I really appreciate this high-powered visit,” Adiele said.
The ALM president further claimed that the organisation’s structure across polling units could play a decisive role in determining electoral outcomes in Ukwa West.
According to him, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe benefited from ALM’s support during the 2023 senatorial election in Ukwa West, although he alleged that the Senator failed to fulfil promises made to the group after winning the election.
The claim formed part of Adiele’s broader argument that ALM’s grassroots network could become a significant factor in the 2027 elections.
The consultation ended with an interactive session between the APC candidates and members of the Asa Liberation Movement, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on the political future of Ukwa and Abia South.
The engagement is expected to intensify political consultations across the constituency as parties and candidates move to consolidate grassroots structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of a cash gift and the donation of a cow to the Asa Liberation Movement.
Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu
Media Team
16-08-2026
