Nobody stops APC aspirants from purchasing forms in Ebonyi—Umahi

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi says no aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi is stopped from purchasing nomination forms for the 2027 general elections.

Our correspondent reports that there is discontentment among aspirants to various political positions and their supporters in Ebonyi over the outcome of the consensus arrangement recently handled by Gov. Francis Nwifuru.

Umahi in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze, which was made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abakaliki, said aspirants under the party’s platform should be allowed to exercise their democratic rights.

“I have consulted President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Nwifuru and there was no directive from the president and the governor stopping any aspirant from purchasing nomination forms.

“I affirm the democratic right of aspirants but presently, my support is to the governor, whom we all have adopted as our sole gubernatorial candidate,” he said.

The minister however, stressed the importance of internal democracy and peaceful engagement among party members, encouraging Nwifuru to ensure a seamless consensus process, where possible.

“Dialogue and negotiations should be adopted by the governor to reach consensus among aspirants, and where it is not reached, direct primaries must take place.

“I have no interest in any aspirant other than my support for the governor and President Tinubu,” he said.

He emphasised the need for unity, noting that the strength of the APC lied in its collective effort and shared sacrifices over the years.

“We have to keep the party we suffered to build together and ensure unity to attain huge votes, especially for the president and the governor.

“No person can do this alone as we need one another,” he noted.