“APC Primary Was a Sham in Abia” — Barr. Obinna Brandy Alleges Manipulation, Fake Withdrawal Announcement
“Shock, controversy, and allegations of manipulation have continued to trail the APC primary election in Abia State as frontline aspirant, Barr. Obinna Bennett Ukawoko (Randie) publicly rejected the process, describing it as a “sham” allegedly marred by hijacked electoral materials, fake announcements, and unauthorized officials. The visibly disappointed legal practitioner claimed he was denied a fair opportunity despite what he described as overwhelming grassroots support across the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.”
“Barr. Obinna Ukawoko (Randie) has rejected the APC primary election for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, alleging widespread irregularities, hijacked electoral materials, fake withdrawal announcements, and unauthorized officials conducting parallel primaries across several wards in Abia State.”
“Barr. Obinna Ukawoko (Randie), an aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has openly rejected the outcome of the exercise, alleging widespread manipulation, fake withdrawal announcements, and the use of unauthorized officials during the controversial process. Speaking shortly after the primary, the visibly aggrieved politician described the election as a “shambles,” insisting that the process fell far below the standard of a free, fair, and credible direct primary promised by the party leadership.”
Barr. Obinna Obinna Ukawoko, an aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has condemned the conduct of the exercise, alleging widespread irregularities, manipulation, and the exclusion of genuine party stakeholders.
Speaking with journalists after the controversial primary election, Saturday, at Okwu-Olokoro Primary School, in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State, Randie described the process as “shambles,” insisting that the exercise failed to meet the expectations of a transparent and credible direct primary earlier promised by the party leadership.
According to the legal practitioner, aspirants and stakeholders had initially been assured that the primary would be conducted fairly to allow the most popular candidate emerge through a democratic process.
“I campaigned vigorously across the three local governments in the federal constituency. I visited villages, communities, and wards, preparing seriously for the election,” he stated.
However, Randie alleged that confusion erupted after reports surfaced that electoral materials meant for the exercise had been hijacked, creating uncertainty about whether the primary would eventually hold.
“We woke up to hear that electoral materials had been hijacked and that the primary could not proceed until the materials were recovered,” he said.
The aspirant further disclosed that while party stakeholders and aspirants were attending a scheduled meeting around 4 p.m., reports began emerging that parallel primaries were allegedly being conducted in several wards by persons he claimed were neither recognized party officials nor accredited electoral officers.
“To my shock, people started calling me that primaries were already taking place in different wards. Those conducting the exercise were unknown to party members, and nobody informed me about the officials assigned to supervise the election,” he alleged.
Randie particularly referenced alleged irregularities in Omegbu Ward and Obakala Ward A, where he claimed some party members resisted what he described as a fraudulent process.
“In Omoegwu Ward, in Umuopaea, the people resisted the exercise because they knew it was not genuine. Those were people prepared to vote for me,” he stated.
He also accused certain individuals of falsely announcing that he had withdrawn from the race in Ubakala Ward A, a development he said misled many of his supporters.
“They went to Ubakala Ward A and announced that I had withdrawn from the contest and made it easier for people to think that I had withdrawn from the contest. That is my clan, and everyone in Ubakala would have voted for me. My people were excited about my ambition and were ready to vote for me, because Ubakala has never produced someone for this position,” he added.
The APC aspirant maintained that he ran an extensive grassroots campaign across the constituency and had representatives in virtually every village.
“I visited every local government, every village, and had representatives everywhere. Yet, the primary was conducted without my knowledge and without giving me a fair opportunity to participate,” he lamented.
Despite expressing disappointment over the outcome of the exercise, Randie said he would still allow the party leadership the opportunity to revisit the process and address the complaints raised by aggrieved aspirants.
“I intend to give the party the opportunity to review what happened. Some of us laboured tirelessly for the party. We mobilized support and strengthened the party structure,” he said.
The politician also expressed confidence in his popularity among party members and constituents, insisting that he remained one of the strongest contenders in the race.
“When I visit places like Ahia-Ukwu, the excitement among the people clearly shows who the true grassroots candidate is,” he stated.
Randie’s allegations have continued to generate reactions among political stakeholders in Abia State, especially amid growing concerns over the credibility and transparency of internal party primaries ahead of future elections.
