A political commentator, Dike Isuochi, has called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State to embrace transparent and inclusive primary elections as a critical pathway to winning the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement issued on April 14, 2026, from Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, Isuochi stressed that credible party primaries remain “the beacon of internal democracy, cohesion, and team spirit necessary for the electability of any party candidate.”
He argued that allowing all party members to participate in a free and transparent voting process to determine the APC gubernatorial candidate would help the party avoid past mistakes that have hindered its electoral success in the state.
“A transparent party primary election for the selection of APC gubernatorial candidate, where all party members are allowed to vote freely, will no doubt save the party from its past mistakes,” he said.
Isuochi referenced previous internal crises within the party, noting that flawed primary processes, factional divisions, and prolonged legal battles weakened the APC’s chances in past governorship contests.
He particularly cited the experience during the era of High Chief Ikechi Emenike, describing it as a “bitter lesson” marked by disunity and avoidable conflicts that ultimately undermined the party’s strength at the polls.
“One beaten, twice shy. APC in Abia State should learn from its past pitfalls and ensure that its candidates emerge through a transparent process in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act,” he added.
The commentator further warned against the imposition of candidates or the adoption of “rented consensus” arrangements, stating that such practices alienate party members and breed resentment among critical stakeholders.
“The party should avoid taking members’ right to freely choose their preferred gubernatorial candidate for granted. The crude and undemocratic practice of imposition or endorsement without open primaries has left many members feeling sidelined and shortchanged,” he said.
According to him, the lingering “bad blood” generated by such processes has been a major factor in the APC’s repeated electoral losses in Abia State since 2007.
He maintained that only a transparent, participatory, and credible primary election process would foster unity, rebuild trust, and galvanize the collective support needed for the party to mount a strong challenge in the 2027 governorship election.
“The party must forge a united front through fairness and inclusiveness if it hopes to secure victory in Abia State come 2027,” Isuochi concluded.
