2027: Obeta, Agbo secure return tickets as APC holds reps primaries
The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary elections in the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South and Udenu/Igbo-Eze North federal constituencies recorded what party stakeholders described as a successful and peaceful exercise.
The primaries, held across various wards nationwide on Saturday, May 16, 2026, produced the incumbent lawmakers, Hon. Chidi Mark Obeta and Hon. Denis Agbo, popularly known as “Mr Integrity,” as the party’s flagbearers for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South and Udenu/Igbo-Eze North federal constituencies respectively.
The exercise, conducted using the Option A4 voting system, was widely described as a demonstration of internal democracy and a reflection of the people’s power in determining their representatives. The process reportedly enjoyed massive participation, especially in the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South federal constituency, where Barr. Silas Asogwa, Obeta’s major challenger, was said to have supported the adoption of a system that allowed party members to openly choose their preferred candidate.
At the end of the exercise, Obeta defeated Asogwa by a wide margin, polling thousands of votes against hundreds. Similarly, in the Udenu/Igbo-Eze North federal constituency, Hon. Denis Agbo defeated Dr. Ejikeme Odumegwu, popularly known as Ndegbe, to clinch the party’s ticket.
The Chairmen of Nsukka, Igbo-Eze South and Igbo-Eze North Local Government Areas commended the peaceful conduct and outcome of the primaries.
Speaking on the exercise, the Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Engr. Jude Chinedu Asogwa, described the election as peaceful, seamless and devoid of rancour or skirmishes. According to him, the outcome further proved that the APC has established a strong grassroots presence in Nsukka and Enugu State at large.
He attributed the success of the exercise to the leadership style of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As brothers, there should be no winner or loser. Anybody who loses today may win tomorrow. Let us come together and move forward,” he said, while urging unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters to remain committed to the party.
Also speaking at the residence of Hon. Denis Agbo, the Chairman of Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, Uche Michael Ogalla, described the primary as smooth, free, fair and highly credible.
He praised Agbo’s leadership and representation, noting that the lawmaker had attracted numerous democratic dividends to the constituency. Ogalla also linked the growing acceptance of the APC in Enugu State to the infrastructural projects being executed by Governor Peter Mbah, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, security and road construction.
For the Chairman of Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area, Barr. Ferdinand Ukwueze, the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the primaries reflected the people’s acceptance of the process and a return of political power to the grassroots.
According to him, the adoption of the Option A4 system encouraged greater participation, as people were now more interested in actively choosing those who would represent them.
“People are making sacrifices by leaving their important engagements just to participate in the process,” he stated.
A party member from Amaebo Ward, Chidera Jude, popularly known as “Ubi Ego,” also described the exercise as smooth, peaceful and transparent. He said the large turnout of party faithful showed the growing support for Governor Peter Mbah and the APC in Enugu State.
He further described Barr. Ferdinand Ukwueze as one of the best-performing council chairmen in the history of the area, praising what he called the chairman’s impactful projects and leadership capacity.
Speaking during the exercise, the South-East Zonal Women Leader of the APC, Mrs. Obiaji, commended the peaceful conduct of the primaries and lauded Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership style, especially his inclusion of women in governance.
According to her, the governor’s support for women’s participation in politics and governance demonstrated a commitment to national development and inclusiveness. She also noted that the impressive turnout of women during the exercise reflected the grassroots strength of the APC.
OHA-NA-EZE NDI IGBO SPEAKS
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo-Eze South chapter, Chief Barr. Chika, described the election as peaceful and commendable.
Although he identified himself as non-partisan, he applauded the APC for conducting a violence-free exercise.
“This exercise did not result in any violence. We commend the party for the peaceful conduct,” he said.
With the conclusion of the APC House of Representatives primaries, attention is now shifting to other forthcoming primaries, including those for the Senate, presidency, governorship and state Houses of Assembly.
Candidates who emerge as party flagbearers will later face contenders from other political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Democratic Congress (NDC), among others.