A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State and senatorial aspirant for Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne, has asked the incumbent lawmaker, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, to prepare to vacate the Senate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ikonne, who spoke with journalists on Wednesday shortly after obtaining his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, said his decision to join the race was driven by the need to provide effective and quality representation for the people of Abia South Senatorial District.
The APC stalwart criticised Abaribe’s nearly two decades in the Senate, alleging that the long tenure had not translated into meaningful development for the district.
“I have stepped forward to offer real representation, align our people with the federal government, and attract the federal presence and development our district deserves,” Ikonne said.
The former Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari maintained that his ambition is anchored on service, development, and a commitment to restoring purposeful representation.
In a direct political swipe at the incumbent, Ikonne described Abaribe as an “attention seeker and media creation,” claiming that the senator had lost touch with the grassroots.
“After nearly two decades in the Senate, it is time for him to return home,” Ikonne said, insisting that the district has not reflected the benefits of sustained legislative representation.
He added that his focus would be on delivering tangible results through infrastructure development, empowerment programmes, and strategic interventions that would enhance the district’s national relevance.
Ikonne also expressed confidence in the role of the 11th National Assembly, noting that it would consolidate on ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move the country forward.
He called on Nigerians to support the President’s reform agenda, which he described as critical to achieving long-term national transformation and prosperity.
With his formal entry into the race, the contest for the Abia South senatorial seat is expected to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
