A pro-democracy group, Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD), has criticised the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its recent call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to review the candidacy of Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna.
The Abia APC, in a statement issued by its State Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru, had questioned Ogbonna’s APC membership status and his subsequent emergence as the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, FABD called on the APC to desist from what it described as propaganda and campaign of calumny against perceived opposition individuals and groups in the state.
The statement was signed by the Chairman of the forum, Surveyor Samuel Aguiyi; Secretary-General, Amb. Chinedu Emeruwa; and Public Relations Officer, Lady Catherine Kalu-Agwu.
The group said:
“While we frown at the tantrums by a failed APC in Abia State, Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD) wish to set the record straight for the general public not to be deceived by the APC, whose stock in trade is to unleash propaganda and campaign of calumny against perceived opposition groups.
“It’s undisputed facts that Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna did not violate Nigeria electoral act by switching over to Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) from APC.
“It is in public knowledge that the House of Representatives primary election conducted for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency by the failed APC in May 2026 was marred by illegalities and frauds of the highest proportion, and which did not comply with laid-down electoral guidelines and procedures.
“The outcome of the APC fraudulent primary election is being contested in the court of law by other aspirants jostling for the House of Representatives ticket.”
FABD further argued that membership of a political party and participation in its primary election were separate matters.
The group stated:
“There is a clear difference between someone’s name appearing on a party membership register and that the person participating in a party primary election.
“Yes, Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna formerly aligned with the failed APC and later dumped the APC due to the party’s illegalities and lawlessness, for another party, NDC.
“Under NDC, he was democratically elected as House of Representatives candidate of the party for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.”
On the legality of Ogbonna’s candidacy, the group said:
“The emergence and nomination of Hon. Elvis Ifeanyi Ogbonna as House of Representatives standard-bearer of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) does not raise constitutional issue. His nomination as NDC candidate and campaign activities is recognized by law.”
FABD also attributed the APC’s call for a review of the NDC candidate’s candidature to political concerns over the 2027 contest.
The group said:
“There is no gainsaying that the latest Abia APC’s cries and call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to review the NDC candidature of Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna has shown APC is afraid of defeat in the forthcoming House of Representatives election for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, as they feel intimidated by the widespread grassroots popularity and support being enjoyed by NDC candidate, Ogbonna.”
The forum called on INEC to disregard what it described as the APC’s objections to Ogbonna’s candidacy.
It stated:
“The Forum of Abia Democrats, as a body founded on true democratic ideology and principle, calls on the leadership of INEC to discountenance and ignore the Abia APC’s latest antics and diatribes against the House of Representatives flagbearer of the NDC for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna.
“APC is bent to malign this worthy Abia son whose genuine passion for good governance and his commitment to the development and progress of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, and indeed larger Abia State, cannot be overemphasized.
“Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna’s entry into the House of Representatives race is the beginning of a new chapter of purposeful leadership and representation in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency.”
FABD also declared its intention to mobilise support for Ogbonna ahead of the 2027 election.
The group said:
“While we call on the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ignore Abia APC shenanigans and evil machination against this foremost Abia son and NDC House of Representatives candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, we, Forum of Abia Democrats (FABD), reiterate its promise to rally bulk votes cast from the electorates in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency to ensure landslide victory and emergence of NDC flagbearer, Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna, as next federal lawmaker and member of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly come 2027.
“We also use this great medium to urge the good people of Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency to remain steadfast with their maximum support to the NDC House of Representatives flagbearer, Hon. Ifeanyi Ogbonna, and ensure they massively vote for him in the forthcoming election.”
