Ebonyi: APC Nat’l Assembly committee declares Ex- Minister, Nkama winner

…..As Idu Igariwey denies disqualification from party, claims winner

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

The Ebonyi State National Assembly primary election committee led by Hon. Kennedy Ekong has declared the former minister for state health, Barr. Joseph Ekuma Nkama as the winner for the Afikpo/ Edda federal constituency.

The Nations News reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress APC drafted a seven man committee; Hon. Kennedy Ekong- chairman, Hon. Ubong udo Uquang -member, Dr. Samuel Asua – member, 

Also, Hon. Ekpuk Eshiet – Member, Hon. Dauada Adam – member, Prince Gamfa Dandam – member and Mrs. Geraldine Etuk – secretary to conduct the Party’s primary election in Ebonyi state.

Meanwhile, another committee from the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC Ebonyi State led by the commissioner for Education, Donatus Illang, Commissioner for environment, Victor Chukwu among others have conducted their own primaries and declared Barr. Idu Igariwey as the winner.

In a statement signed by the former minister for state health, Barr. Joseph Ekuma Nkama said that Idu Igariwey was disqualified by the screening committee of APC, and that it is illegal and an affront to the national leadership of APC, for Idu Igariwey to claim otherwise.

The statement reads in part; “I Barr. Joseph Nkama Emerged APC Candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency Following Peaceful and Credible Primaries

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election was conducted across the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency and has been described as peaceful, transparent, free, fair, and credible by party stakeholders and observers.

“The exercise, which took place across the eleven wards in Edda Local Government Area and the twelve wards in Afikpo Local Government Area, and conducted by the seven man Ebonyi state National Assembly primary election committee led by Hon. Kennedy Ekong, witnessed massive participation from party faithful and delegates who turned out in large numbers to exercise their democratic rights.

“At the conclusion of the primary election, the chairman of the Ebonyi state National Assembly committee, Hon. Kennedy Ekong, officially declared Barr. Joseph Ekuma Nkama the winner of the exercise, after scoring the highest vote cast in Afikpo Edda federal constituency.

“Following the announcement, Barr. Nkama was duly returned elected as the APC candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The outcome of the primary election comes after the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, reportedly disqualified Hon. Idu Igariwey, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, from participating in the contest. Consequently, Barr. Joseph Ekuma Nkama emerged as the validly recognized and unopposed candidate of the party for the constituency.

“The APC House of Representatives candidate elected for Afikpo/ Edda federal constituency, Barr. Joseph Ekuma Nkama expressed profound appreciation to party members, delegates, supporters, and constituents for their overwhelming support and confidence in his leadership aspirations.

“Nkama commented the electorate for coming out en masse to participate in the primary election and reaffirmed his commitment to the ideals and vision of the All Progressives Congress.

“The Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency stands to witness effective, people-oriented, and impactful representation if elected during the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Nkama further cautioned opposition elements and individuals allegedly attempting to conduct parallel primaries within the constituency, stressing that such actions remain unlawful and contrary to the directives and position of the national leadership of the APC.

He maintained that any results purportedly declared elsewhere by what he described as “fake committee” “are illegal, null, and void”, insisting that the authentic leadership of the party had already taken a clear position regarding the disqualification of Hon. Idu Igariwey for reasons best known to the party leadership.

The APC candidate reiterated his confidence in the support of the people of Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency and vowed to secure victory for the party in the 2027 general election.

In a swift reaction, Idu said: “Nobody disqualified me. I also saw a document that doesn’t bear my name.If you look at that document, you’ll see that it’s not Igariwey Iduma Emo that is there, which is my official name.

“Whatever is being circulated is completely strange to me. It’s unknown to me. But let mespeak generally about disqualification of a candidate.”I’m a lawmaker, a consummate lawmaker for that matter. I’ve been in the National Assembly.

This is my third term.”I’m going for my fourth term.I’ve also been in the Constitutional Review Committee since 2015. So, I am quite seized with both the Constitution and other instruments like the Electoral Act.

“We were careful in making sure that those who aspire to represent this country in any capacityare not just ambushed. That is why we created Section 85 of the Electoral Act. Take your time” he stated.