JUST IN:
May 20, 2026
In a recent report by Channels NEWS on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, former Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Henry Ikoh, has formally declared his intention to contest the Abia State governorship election, pledging to lead the state under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while commending President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what he described as improved federal allocations to states.
Ikoh, who also serves as the Abia State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, made the declaration at the APC secretariat in Umuahia during a gathering attended by party executives, stakeholders, and supporters.
Addressing party members and supporters, the former minister said he accepted repeated calls from APC stakeholders and loyalists urging him to join the race for the state’s top seat, insisting that he possesses the mental and financial capacity needed to govern Abia State effectively.
“I’ve come today to tell the party officially that yes, I’m going to run,” Ikoh declared, while appealing for the support of party members ahead of the election.
The APC chieftain also expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the state, maintaining that the APC was steadily gaining strength across Abia and was prepared to challenge for power in the next governorship election.
“APC is the party to be,” he told supporters. “When you look around here, you will see and agree with me that APC is going to take over governorship.”
Ikoh used the occasion to praise President Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the increase in federal allocations to state governments, which he said had provided governors with greater financial resources to drive development projects and improve governance.
According to him, the improved revenues being received by states under the current administration present an opportunity for leaders to deliver meaningful infrastructure and social development to citizens.
Receiving the governorship aspirant, the Abia State Chairman of the APC, Kingsley Ononogbu, described the APC as one of the fastest-growing political parties in the country and assured members that the era of imposing candidates on the party had ended. Ononogbu stressed that party decisions, including the emergence of candidates, would be driven by consultations with stakeholders and members rather than by individuals acting independently.
“The party has been returned back to the stakeholders,” he said, adding that no single party official had the power to hand out or withdraw tickets without due consultation.
He further assured members that the APC leadership in the state would continue to engage party stakeholders and communicate their concerns to the appropriate authorities to ensure fairness and internal democracy ahead of future elections. Ikoh’s declaration adds fresh momentum to political activities building up ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Abia State, where parties are already positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested political battle.
The sun
