Umuahia, Abia State – The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally petitioned the national leadership of the party, demanding the immediate investigation of Mr. Yusuf Muyideen Ahmed, an ICT staff member attached to the APC National Secretariat, over his alleged involvement in the diversion of sensitive electoral materials meant for the party’s National Assembly primary elections in the state.

The incident occurred ahead of the APC National Assembly primary elections, with the House of Representatives primaries scheduled to commence the following day, Saturday, May 16, 2026.

In a petition dated May 25, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the Abia State Working Committee accused Ahmed of conspiring with former Abia South Senatorial aspirant, Prince Paul Ikonne, to unlawfully divert and remove official result sheets designated for the conduct of the party’s National Assembly primaries in Abia State.

The petition, signed by the Abia APC Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, described the actions as a serious breach of trust, electoral sabotage, and a direct attack on the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process.

The petition comes against the backdrop of a viral video that surfaced before the conduct of the primaries, in which Prince Ikonne, while being questioned by the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, admitted that his private vehicle was used to convey Yusuf Muyideen Ahmed to an undisclosed location in Owerri after arriving at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport aboard a private jet on May 15, 2026, alongside other members of the National Assembly Primaries Committee. Prince Ikonne further stated that he was on the aircraft with other members of the primary election committee and Ahmed, who was in possession of sensitive electoral materials outside the approved process.

According to the petition, preliminary investigations by security agencies allegedly revealed that Muyideen, while serving in a position of responsibility within the National Secretariat, colluded with Prince Ikonne to divert sensitive electoral materials from the approved chain of custody ahead of the primaries.

The Abia APC further alleged that the diverted result sheets were intended to facilitate the production of alternative election results capable of influencing the outcome of the primaries. The petition also referenced reports linking the operation to alleged financial transactions estimated at approximately $250,000, raising concerns about possible bribery and financial inducement.

“The unauthorized diversion of electoral materials from the approved chain of custody was not merely an administrative lapse but a calculated attempt to compromise the credibility of the party’s primary election process,” the petition stated.

The state chapter noted that concerns over the missing materials compelled the National Assembly Primaries Election Committee, led by Barr. Erasmus Cishak, to request fresh result sheets from the National Working Committee (NWC). According to the petition, the request was made through a letter dated May 17, 2026, after it became apparent that the original materials had allegedly been compromised.

The APC National Working Committee subsequently approved and released a fresh set of security-sealed electoral materials, enabling the conduct of the National Assembly senatorial primaries in the state.

The petition specifically accused Muyideen of facilitating the removal of sensitive election materials from lawful custody and alleged that his actions constituted violations of both internal party regulations and relevant electoral laws. It further claimed that his conduct amounted to conspiracy and electoral misconduct, warranting both disciplinary and criminal investigation.

Consequently, the Abia APC called on the party’s national leadership to take decisive action, including the immediate dismissal of Muyideen from service, referral of the matter to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation and prosecution, and a comprehensive security audit of the ICT Department at the APC National Secretariat to prevent future breaches.

The state chapter warned that failure to address the allegations decisively could undermine confidence in the party’s internal electoral processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While commending the intervention of the National Assembly Primaries Committee in salvaging the exercise through the provision of fresh materials, the Abia APC maintained that a thorough investigation was necessary to determine the full extent of the alleged diversion and to hold all culpable parties accountable.

The APC National Assembly senatorial primaries subsequently held on May 18, 2026, across the designated wards in the state. The exercise produced Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu, Jnr. as the party’s candidate for Abia South Senatorial District. In Abia North Senatorial District, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu emerged victorious, while Hon. Emeka Atuma secured the party’s ticket for Abia Central Senatorial District.

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, says he joined forces with Peter Obi out of sympathy.

Baba-Ahmed spoke during an interview with media outlet Symfoni.

He said Obi had approached three prominent politicians ahead of the 2023 election, but none agreed to run with him.

According to him, his decision to become Obi’s running mate was driven by sympathy for the ex-Anambra governor and the country’s political situation at the time.

“People don’t understand that between me and Obi, there is a great deal of sympathy. I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship,” he said.

“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation.”

Baba-Ahmed said he voluntarily stepped in because he believed it was in the country’s best interest to do so.

“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he said.

On March 7, Obi formally joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) months after announcing his intention to align with the opposition coalition.

However, on May 3, Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, quit the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing “uncertainties” over the party’s future.

Before leaving LP, Obi fell out with Julius Abure, factional chairman of the party, over alleged irreconcilable differences.

Baba-Ahmed faulted Obi’s decision to leave the party amid its leadership crisis, arguing that political challenges exist across parties and should be resolved rather than avoided.

“If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?” he asked.

“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move.”

Baba-Ahmed added that his political identity is independent of Obi’s, saying their alliance in 2022 did not amount to political ownership.

“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed has since pitched tent with the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) after announcing his exit from the LP

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims by Prince Paul Ikonne that he emerged as the party’s candidate for the Abia South Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the assertion as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by the state chairman of the party, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, the APC said the senatorial primary election for Abia South was duly conducted on May 18, 2026, across the district’s 65 wards in accordance with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines.

According to the party, results announced by the Chairman of the National Assembly Primary Election Committee, Prof. Erasmus Cishak, showed that Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu (Jnr.) secured 15,982 votes to emerge winner of the contest.

Other contestants, according to the results released by the committee, included Hon. Dr. Blessing Nwagba, who polled 4,556 votes; Prince Paul Ikonne, who scored 4,322 votes; and Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, who garnered 4,022 votes.

The party stated that following the conclusion of the primary election, Erondu was officially declared winner and issued a Declaration of Result Form by the committee chairman.

The APC maintained that the outcome of the primary election remains valid, lawful and binding, stressing that the mandate given to Erondu by party members across the senatorial district would be respected and upheld by the party’s National Working Committee.

The party further urged Ikonne and his supporters to refrain from spreading what it described as misinformation capable of causing confusion and disaffection within its ranks.

Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy and party discipline, the APC called on members and stakeholders to unite behind the party’s candidate as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.