Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia governor and incumbent senator for Abia North, won the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election for Abia North ahead of the 2027 elections.

Emeka Atuma and Uchenna Erondu Jnr also won for Abia Central and Abia South, respectively, during the nationwide primaries held on Monday.

Mr Kalu secured the party’s ticket with a landslide victory over his lone challenger, Philips Nto.  According to results announced at the APC collation centre in Umuahia, Kalu polled 65,651 votes to defeat Nto, who garnered 2,103 votes. The margin of victory was 63,548 votes.

The direct primary was held across the five local government areas and 57 wards of Abia North. A total of 72,028 voters were registered, out of which 69,441 were accredited. Total votes cast stood at 67,854.

Declaring the result, Chinedu Kanu, chairman of the Abia North Senatorial National Assembly Primary Election Committee, described the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible.

He commended APC members, stakeholders, and electoral officials for ensuring a smooth exercise across the district.

Mr Kanu said Kalu secured overwhelming support from party members through the transparent direct primary process aimed at producing credible candidates for 2027.

In Abia Central, Emeka Atuma polled 36,935 votes to defeat Nkechi Nworgu, who scored 11,451 votes, while Samuel Onuigbo secured 5,833 votes.

Returning officer Thomas Nkoro declared Mr Atuma the winner. In Abia South, Mr Erondu, lawmaker representing Obingwa West state constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, emerged victorious after securing a commanding lead across the six LGAs.

The final results were announced at the APC Abia South Senatorial District Primary Election Collation Centre in Aba by collation officer, Emmanuel Agbaeze.

Mr Erondu swept all six LGAs to defeat Nyerere Anyim, Paul Ikonne, and Blessing Nwagba.

(NAN)