The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abia State chapter says it has  been made aware of circulating speculations regarding an alleged "shortlist" of candidates handpicked to represent the party in the upcoming elections.

In a statement, the media aide to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Ben Kalu states categorically that any such list is entirely fabricated, unauthorized, and runs contrary to the fundamental principles of participatory democracy that our party holds dear.

"In strict 1 the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the APC,  we reiterate that there are only two legally recognized pathways for the emergence of party flagbearers in the forthcoming primaries:

 1. Direct Primaries: Where party members exercise their franchise to elect candidates.

 2. Consensus: Achieved only when all aspirants in a specific race reach a voluntary, written agreement to support a single candidate (Consensus ad idem).

"The party leadership emphasizes that no shortcuts exist. We advise all aspirants—across the House of Assembly, National Assembly, and Gubernatorial levels—to focus their energies on mobilizing grassroots support.

 "If such a list exists anywhere, it is by this announcement rendered null and void. The spirit of our previous Congresses, which centered on the power of the people, remains the guiding light for our upcoming Primaries."

"The Abia State APC remains a formidable and united house. We urge our loyal members to ignore the antics of disruptors seeking to sow seeds of confusion through misinformation.

Our focus remains on the hard work of "tilling the ground" to ensure massive electoral victories across all contests in the coming year. The leadership of the party at all levels stands firmly behind our members; together we built this party, and together we will sustain its strength'''