Tension erupted at the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) headquarters in Umuahia on Tuesday, during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the commission.
The meeting, aimed at addressing the upcoming November 2 local government elections, took a surprising turn when two men each claimed to be the legitimate Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State.
The first to assert his position was Sunday Onukwubiri, who introduced himself as the “one and only Chairman of APGA in Abia State.” Onukwubiri, the elected chairman, used the platform to caution ABSIEC Chairman, Professor George Chima, about the importance of conducting a credible election, stating that any failure could tarnish Chima’s academic reputation.
“Failure to conduct a credible local government election could ruin your academic reputation,” Onukwubiri warned.
However, the situation escalated when a second man, Onuoha Egbe, stood up to announce himself as the “authentic” Chairman of APGA. Visibly upset by Onukwubiri’s declaration, Egbe urged ABSIEC not to recognize anyone outside the faction of the party led by Edozie Njoku.
“I am the authentic Chairman of APGA in Abia. The Supreme Court has recognized Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman, and anyone not under his leadership should not be recognized,” Egbe declared.
ABSIEC Chairman, Professor George Chima, responded to the commotion, clarifying that the purpose of the stakeholders’ meeting was not to resolve internal party disputes but to discuss the election timetable.