The National Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed its Abia State chapter to drop its recent zoning decision and allow any credible candidate with wide public acceptance to emerge ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The Abia APC chapter had on Thursday announced the zoning of its governorship ticket to Abia Central Senatorial District, a move that has since generated reactions from stakeholders and party leaders.
Reacting to the development Friday, the party’s national leadership advised the state chapter to discard the zoning arrangement and instead focus on producing a credible and competent candidate with broad acceptability across the state.
The APC National Headquarters stressed the need for the party to field a candidate with proven capacity, integrity and statewide appeal.
It further noted that throwing the governorship ticket open would guarantee the emergence of the best candidate, while zoning could diminish the party’s chances of winning the 2027 governorship election.
According to the national leadership, restricting the contest to a particular zone could result in the emergence of a candidate who may lack general appeal among Abia voters.
The party therefore warned that there will be sanctions if the zoning arrangement is not dropped by the state working committee, while advising the Abia State chapter to place the overall interest and electoral prospects of the APC above sectional considerations by allowing all aspirants who have purchased nomination forms to participate in the governorship primary election.
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