An aspirant for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Onyeije Onuoha-Kalu, has rejected the outcome of the party’s recently concluded primary election, insisting that he emerged the rightful winner of the contest.

The Abia State National Assembly Primary Election Committee, chaired by Barrister Erasmus Cishak, had declared Ikenna Nicholas as the winner of the exercise held on Saturday.

However, speaking to journalists on Sunday in Umuahia, Onuoha-Kalu maintained that he won the majority of votes across the constituency, claiming victory in 15 of the 22 wards.

He explained that he secured eight wards in Arochukwu Local Government Area and seven wards in Ohafia Local Government Area.

“We have 22 wards in Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, and out of that, I won 15,” he said.

He also thanked supporters across the constituency and commended party leaders for what he described as a smooth electoral process.

When asked why he was rejecting the declared result, despite an official announcement, he insisted that due process was still ongoing and expressed confidence that the party would uphold fairness.

“Our party is law-abiding, and we practice the rule of law. There is no need for the party not to uphold the rule of law,” he stated.

On his next steps, he said his immediate focus was to appreciate his supporters for their trust and engagement during the primary.

He also urged party members to support governorship aspirant Chief Henry Ikoh, describing him as a seasoned industrialist with a strong record of job creation and integrity.

Meanwhile, the APC National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee has begun sitting in Abia State to receive petitions and complaints arising from the primary elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Uche Aguoru, the committee, chaired by Chris Dajan, will sit at the party’s new state secretariat along Finbarrs Road in Umuahia.

The statement encouraged aggrieved aspirants to submit petitions for review in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines approved by the National Working Committee (NWC), assuring that all complaints would be fairly considered.