Aspirant for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Onyeije Onuoha-Kalu, has claimed victory in the party’s just concluded primary election.
The Abia State National Assembly Primary Election Committee, led by Barrister Erasmus Cishak, had on Saturday announced Ikenna Nicholas as the winner of the primary election for the constituency.
However, speaking with journalists in Umuahia on Sunday, Onuoha-Kalu insisted that he emerged victorious in the exercise held on May 16.
According to him, he won 15 out of the 22 wards in the constituency, securing eight of the 11 wards in Arochukwu Local Government Area and seven of the 11 wards in Ohafia LGA.
“We have 22 wards in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, and out of that, I won 15,” he said.
The aspirant thanked the people of Arochukwu and Ohafia for their support and also commended party leaders for ensuring a peaceful process.
Asked why he refused to concede despite another aspirant being declared winner, Onuoha-Kalu maintained that he remained the rightful winner of the primary.
He argued that the National Assembly Primary Election Committee was still carrying out its assignment and that there was still room for a proper declaration.
“Our party is law-abiding, and we practice the rule of law. There is no need for the party not to uphold the rule of law,” he stated.
Speaking on his next line of action, the APC aspirant said his immediate priority was to appreciate constituents for the confidence reposed in him.
Onuoha-Kalu also urged party members to support APC governorship aspirant, Chief Henry Ikoh, whom he described as an experienced industrialist with integrity and a proven record in job creation.
“It is not easy to build a company to that height. It takes an industrialist to build an industry, and he has been giving a lot of people jobs.
“We are confident in him. He is a man of integrity, and with his experience, we believe he will turn things around,” he added.
Meanwhile, the APC National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee has commenced sitting in Abia State to receive and review complaints arising from the exercise.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Chief Uche Aguoru, said the committee, chaired by Chris Dajan, would sit at the party’s new state secretariat located on Finbard Road, Umuahia.
The statement urged aggrieved aspirants to formally submit complaints, petitions or appeals for fair consideration in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines approved by the National Working Committee.