The New Ukwa Progressive Initiative (NUPI) has commended the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for what it described as its commitment to equity, fairness, and internal democracy following the party’s recently concluded primary elections.
In a letter jointly signed by the association’s national chairman, Dr Franklin Akanwa and General Secretary, Felix, Chidubem Ambition, dated July 4, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the group praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the National Working Committee of the party, and the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, for ensuring what it termed a fair and equitable outcome in the party’s candidate selection process.
NUPI specifically lauded the emergence of Barr. Samuel Okezie Nwogu as the APC candidate for the Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency and Hon. Prince Paul Ikonne as the party’s flag bearer for the Abia South Senatorial District, describing the development as a victory for justice and equitable representation.
According to the group, the decision has restored confidence among the people of Ukwa and reaffirmed the long-standing demand for fairness in the sharing of elective positions within the constituency.
The organisation urged the APC National Working Committee to remain resolute and resist any pressure or attempts to overturn the outcome of the primaries, insisting that the party’s decision aligns with the principles of equity and the aspirations of the people.
NUPI also recalled its previous engagements with the office of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, where it had repeatedly appealed for the preservation of the zoning arrangement in the Ukwa Federal Constituency. The group noted that it had written several letters urging the Deputy Speaker, as the leader of the APC in Abia State, to ensure that justice and inclusiveness prevailed in the constituency.
According to the group, it had drawn attention to the fact that Ukwa East Local Government Area, particularly Akwete Community, had occupied the House of Representatives seat continuously for 20 years, from 2007 to date, and argued that equity demanded that the position rotate to another part of the constituency. NUPI stated that its correspondence was acknowledged by the Deputy Speaker’s office on March 10, 2026.
The organisation maintained that the emergence of Barr. Nwogu and Hon. Ikonne is consistent with the charter of equity in both the Ukwa Federal Constituency and the Abia South Senatorial District.
While calling on party leaders to disregard what it described as “baseless, frivolous and sponsored petitions” seeking to alter the outcome of the primaries, NUPI warned that such efforts could undermine the peace and unity currently enjoyed within the constituency.
The group insisted that the people of Ukwa have welcomed the party’s decision and expressed confidence that the APC leadership would remain committed to the principles of justice, fairness, and inclusiveness.
Reaffirming its mandate, NUPI said it would continue to champion transparency, accountability, good governance, and the protection of the collective interests of the people of Ukwa East and Ukwa West Federal Constituency.
