Former Minister and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Abia State, Chief Henry Ikoh, has urged his supporters to supporters to fully mobilize and secure a 2027 electoral victory for President Bola Tinubu and all the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in Abia State.
Ikoh, who is the Abia State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, spoke in Umuahia at the weekend while addressing supporters during a thank-you meeting organised to appreciate their backing during the governorship primary.
He described the exercise as a “selection instead of election”, acknowledging the disappointment among his supporters following the emergence of Chief Eric Opah as the party’s governorship candidate.
Despite the grievances, Ikoh urged his supporters to prioritise loyalty to the APC over personal ambitions, expressing confidence that the party would take over Abia in 2027.
“My core mandate is to deliver Mr President and all APC candidates,” he said.
He urged members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ozurumba Movement, Old Aba Division and other support groups to remain committed to the party.
According to Ikoh, the APC must close ranks and strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government in order to attract more developmental benefits to Abia State.
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing Nigerians, he expressed confidence in the reforms of the Tinubu administration, claiming that the naira had stabilised and states could no longer rely on borrowing to pay salaries.
He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient with the administration, saying the reforms would eventually move the country from consumption to production.
Reacting to claims that the Labour Party would win Abia in 2027, Ikoh dismissed such assertions as personal opinions.
“That is their personal opinion. As a responsible APC man, you have to be APC all the way.
“I am APC in the morning, afternoon and night. We must deliver APC in Abia,” he declared.
The APC State Organising Secretary and Isuikwuato Local Government Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Mr Emeka Okoroafor, commended Ikoh for remaining loyal to the party despite the controversy surrounding the governorship primary.
Okoroafor claimed that 13 of the 18 members of the State Working Committee supported Ikoh during the primary, praising him for maintaining his position and choosing to mobilise support for the party.
He, however, criticised what he described as alleged “double games” by some APC leaders who, according to him, were working against the party’s candidates.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Ozurumba Movement, Dr Paul Uzuegbu, pledged the group’s continued loyalty to the APC.
“Our leader has spoken. Politics is about loyalty. We will follow his footsteps,” he said.
