APC chieftains back ex-NALDA boss for Senate

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress in Abia South Senatorial District have publicly backed Prince Paul Ikonne, a former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), for the Senate. The party leaders expressed their support in a statement read by Elder Chinwe Nwanganga, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Working Committee for a "free, fair and credible primary election."

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This is a note of appreciation to our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Working Committee, NWC. On behalf of Abia South Senatorial District, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for your impartiality, diligence and commitment to democratic values during our party’s just-concluded primary elections.

The group asserted that the authentic primary elections produced Ikonne as the APC candidate for Abia South Senatorial District. They emphasized Ikonne's over 20 years of public service experience, describing him as a politician known for preparation and service rather than mere rhetoric, particularly within the Old Aba Zone.

The statement conveyed appreciation to President Tinubu and the NWC for their impartiality and commitment to democratic values, which they believe strengthened internal democracy and provided the party with clear direction. The leaders also acknowledged the president and NWC for heeding the public's call for equity and restoring mandates.

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Your leadership ensured a transparent, credible process that has strengthened internal democracy and given our party clear direction. We also thank the president and the NWC for listening to the people’s quest for equity and for the restoration of their mandate.

Highlighting the historical context, the party leaders noted that the Abia South Senate seat has been held by Obingwa Local Government Area for 20 of the last 28 years. They viewed President Tinubu's appointment of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu as Nigeria's Ambassador to Spain as a significant honor for the people of Abia South. Ikonne's tenure as Executive Secretary/CEO of NALDA from 2020-2025 was cited as evidence of his nationwide experience in agricultural and land development, positioning him favorably against other contenders for the Senate seat. The leaders pledged their full support to all APC candidates.

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We expect that he will bring his wealth of experience to bear in repositioning our senatorial zone that has clamoured for change and adequate representation at the Senate.