By CHARLES IWUOHA

Ahead of party primaries for the 2027 general elections, the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, has assured aspirants and members that the Party will conduct free and fair primary elections.

He dismissed insinuations in some quarters that the party had concluded plans to impose unpopular candidates on the people.

Fielding questions from journalists in Abakaliki on Monday, Emegha described the insinuations as false and misleading, and urged members of the party and the general public to disregard the speculation.

According to him, "2027 is very critical for the sustenance of the dominance of our party in the state and beyond, and as such, we cannot afford to field unpopular candidates who may be rejected by the people.

"When the time comes, we shall look at what the constitution of our party says, and what the Electoral Law says regarding nomination of candidates for elections.

"But what I can assure you now is that Ebonyi APC will not field unpopular candidates. Such speculation and insinuations are false and unfounded and should be disregarded in its entirety."

While answering questions on the position of the state in the forthcoming national convention of the party, Emegha disclosed that the position of National Treasurer currently held by the state is retained.

According to him, “The zoning formula adopted and released by the national leadership of our party re-zoned the positions being occupied by the state at both the zonal and national levels to Ebonyi.

"And His Excellency, our Governor as the leader of the party, in his magnanimity, has expressed confidence in the capacity of the individuals occupying the positions. So our position as regards the conventions is clear.

"They have also purchased their forms and we hope that they will emerge victorious in the conventions."

Speaking further, Emegha praised the leadership qualities of Governor Francis Nwifuru, stressing that it has caused many opposition members to join the ruling party.

"What the Governor is doing in the state is mind-blowing, and it has helped us as a party. Just last weekend, we received the Director General of PDP Governorship Campaign Council during the 2023 elections, Chief Austine Igwe Edeze and a former member of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs. Franka Okpo.

"Very soon, more opposition leaders will join us. Just this morning, I had a very fruitful discussion with one of the prominent leaders of the opposition in the state, and we are also expecting their defection soon," he concluded.

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