The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State has dismissed reports suggesting that some aspirants have been handed automatic tickets ahead of its upcoming primary elections, insisting that no candidate has been pre-selected for any position.

The clarification was made on Thursday by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, during a pre-primary stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

Kalu stressed that the party remains committed to a transparent and competitive process, adding that all aspirants will emerge through legitimate internal democratic procedures rather than imposition.

“We are not going to impose any candidate. We want to ensure that after the primaries, the party is not going to disintegrate. We have worked hard and it is now time to harvest,” he said.

He further explained that the APC leadership had only approved two methods for selecting candidates ahead of the elections.

“There is no automatic ticket and no list by anybody. The party has given us only two democratic options — consensus or direct primaries,” Kalu added.

According to him, the choice of candidates will ultimately be determined by party members, in line with internal democratic principles as the 2027 general elections approach.

Also speaking at the meeting, former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, said party leaders in the state have been encouraged by President Bola Tinubu to close ranks and strengthen unity ahead of the polls.

“The President told me clearly that the only gift Abia APC can give him is to deliver the state,” he said.

Orji Kalu added that reconciliation efforts within the party have been successful, noting that internal disagreements had been resolved.

“The President also told me not to quarrel with my younger brother. I have no problems with Ben Kalu anymore. The quarrel is gone. Abia APC is now united,” he stated.

The party disclosed that several aspirants have already shown interest in various positions, including three governorship hopefuls, nine senatorial aspirants, 24 House of Representatives aspirants, and 64 House of Assembly aspirants.

According to the APC State Organising Secretary, Emeka Okoroafor, only one House of Representatives aspirant was disqualified for failing to meet the requirement of being a registered party member.