APC Ready for Transparent Presidential Primary in Abia – Benjamin Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State is fully prepared for the party’s presidential primary election, assuring party members that the process will be conducted with transparency, accountability and strict compliance with the Electoral Act.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting with stakeholders and committee members in Umuahia, Kalu explained that the Electoral Act recognises only two valid methods for selecting candidates during party primaries; consensus and direct primaries.

According to him, the APC has largely adopted the direct primary system nationwide, allowing party members at the ward level to actively participate in choosing candidates for different elective offices.

He stated that the party had already concluded primaries for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship positions, leaving only the presidential primary scheduled for the following day.

Kalu also revealed that he had been appointed coordinator and coalition officer for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abia State. He noted that strategic meetings had already been held with representatives from the 184 wards and 17 local government areas across the state to ensure a smooth exercise.

The Deputy Speaker confirmed that all election materials needed for the primary had arrived from Abuja and remained sealed to guarantee the credibility of the process.

He stressed that the party had prepared result sheets for all 184 wards and the 17 local government areas in the state, insisting there would be no room for errors during collation.

According to him, Abia State received only one final state collation document, which would contain the harmonised results from across the state before transmission to Abuja.

Kalu said the arrangements were aimed at demonstrating the APC’s commitment to internal democracy and transparent electoral practices, adding that President Tinubu was implementing the principles of accountability through the nation’s laws, policies and party decisions.

He further disclosed that ward committees, local government committees and a central working committee had already been activated to coordinate the exercise and ensure seamless collation of results.

The Deputy Speaker added that candidates who emerged from previous APC primaries for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate and governorship elections had also been mobilised to participate in the presidential primary process.

Expressing confidence in the outcome, Kalu said party members in Abia State were fully prepared to deliver overwhelming support for President Tinubu.

He emphasised that voting for the presidential primary would begin at 8 a.m. and conclude before noon, while final results are expected to be announced by 2 p.m. before being transmitted to Abuja.