The governorship screening committee constituted by the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared three aspirants to participate in the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries in Abia State, effectively putting to rest speculations surrounding the alleged 2027 governorship ambition of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The aspirants successfully screened by the committee are Mascot Uzor Kalu from Abia North Senatorial District, alongside Henry Ikoh and Eric Opiah from Abia Central Senatorial District.
The development comes amid recent controversy within the party following protests by some stakeholders and aspirants over the alleged zoning of the APC governorship ticket to Abia Central. The disagreement erupted after the Abia State Working Committee of the party reportedly issued a statement suggesting that the governorship position had been reserved for candidates from the zone.
However, the clearance of Mascot Uzor Kalu, an aspirant from Abia North, appears to have eased concerns over the zoning arrangement and reaffirmed the openness of the contest.
Political observers believe the outcome of the screening exercise has also ended months of speculation linking Benjamin Kalu to the Abia governorship race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within the party disclosed that the Deputy Speaker, who was reportedly in Kaduna over the weekend in support of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has instead been screened and cleared by the House of Representatives screening committee to seek re-election for the Bende Federal Constituency seat.
Several other aspirants were also cleared for various House of Representatives positions across the state. Those approved for Ukwa East and West Federal Constituency include Chris Nkwonta and Sam Nwogu, while aspirants for Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency include Nnamdi Jato, Prince Obiah, Prince Udo Alozie, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Njoku and Lady Achumba.
For Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Uzoma Ihuka and Patrick Onwuka were among those screened successfully. In Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji, Lucky Igbokwe, Ugonna Irokazi and Randy Uka Nwoko also secured clearance.
Other notable aspirants cleared include Benjamin Kalu for Bende Federal Constituency, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, as well as Dan Okeke and Ifeanyi Ogbonna for Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency.
Meanwhile, aspirants cleared for the Senate race include Senator Orji Uzor Kalu for Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Hon. Sam Onuigbo and Emeka Atuma for Abia Central Senatorial District.
Also screened and cleared by the APC Senate Screening Committee are Nyerere Anyim, Paul Ikonne, Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba and Erondu Uchenna Erondu.
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Speaking on the exercise, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, confirmed that the screening process would be concluded soon, adding that the official list of successful aspirants would be released after the committee completes its assignment.
