In Choosing Abia APC 2027 Deputy Governorship Candidate, Equity Should Tilt Towards Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency.
Friday (Afor) 17-07-2026.
In Nigeria’s Presidential Democracy, like it is in United States of America from where Nigeria copied its model of democracy, a Governorship Candidate of a Political Party must have a Running Mate. This stipulation is explicitly captured in Section 187(1) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
Many reasons could have accounted for Section 187(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Though not expressed in black and white, equity, inclusiveness, collectivism, and continuity, in case of death, must have been taken into consideration.
As All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State prepares for general election in 2027, having duly nominated its Governorship Candidate in the person of Chief Eric Chinemeucheya Opah, the incontrovertible fact is that he deserves a Running Mate.
Since he is from the Ngwa extraction of Abia-Central Senatorial District, and also belongs to the Old Aba Division, otherwise known as Ukwa/Ngwa zone, equity and reasonable political calculations imply that his Running Mate has to come from Abia-North Senatorial District.
Some Stakeholders in Abia APC, including the author, probably had conjectured that Chief Eric Opah’s Running Mate would come from Bende Local Government Area of Abia-North because it is the most formidable base of APC in Abia State, having political pillars like; House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker, Rt Honourable Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the State Chairman of APC, Hon Chijioke Chukwu, and many Federal Government Appointees.
However, in practical juxtaposition of extant political realities, and taking into deep consideration that Bende is already saturated with political Big Wigs, the need naturally arises that another Federal Constituency in Abia-North deserves a sense of belonging. By this reasoning, the choice should be between Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, and Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.
Ideally, since the current Deputy Governor of the State comes from Ohafia, Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency stands a better option. Again and in particular, Isuikwuato should be given preference in view of the fact that the 2027 House of Representatives’ candidate of the Party comes from Umunneochi, in the person of Dr Nkiruka Onyejiocha.
The earlier this issue is resolved, the better for the Governorship Candidate, Chief Eric Chinemeucheya Opah.
Already, because of probable conspiracies against the candidacies of Hon Chris Nkwonta of Ukwa-East/Ukwa-West Federal Constituency, and Hon Erondu Uchenna Erondu, Jnr. of Abia-South Senatorial District, interest of thousands of members of the Party in those areas has waned visibly considerably. Let it be hoped that the essence of the conspiracy was not just to make sure that APC will non-existent in the areas.
For whatever it will be worth, let the Running Mate of Chief Eric Chinemeucheya Opah be chosen from Isuikwuato, and let Chief Opah be encouraged to choose his Running Mate.
Sir Don Ubani is a former Chairman of United Nigeria Congress Party, UNCP, in Abia State, a former Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Abia State, and Publisher of Equity Global Reporters Ltd.
