2027: Abia APC Returns Ex-Minister, Onyejeocha, To Reps

Former Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Onyejeocha, who represented the constituency for 16 years before joining President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet in 2023, secured the party’s ticket unopposed. She polled over 9000 votes during the primary exercise.

A coalition of community leaders, clergy, captains of industry, and APC stakeholders had recently purchased her Expression of Interest and Nomination forms. Presenting the forms at her country home in Isuochi, Abia State, Chief Godswill Agu Egbe (PhD) said the voice of the constituency had gone silent due to the inexperience of the current occupant of the seat.

Reacting to her emergence, her media office stated that the former minister is deeply grateful to her people and the APC leadership for the confidence reposed in her once again.

According to the statement, Onyejeocha has pledged to design a “comprehensive developmental template that will translate to tangible grassroots development, including compulsory skill acquisition for women and youths, rural infrastructure, economic empowerment, quality education, and accessible healthcare for the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi federal constituency”.

Onyejeocha’s journey back to the ballot began in April 2026, when she resigned her position as Minister of State for Labour and Employment following President Bola Tinubu’s directive requiring all political appointees seeking elective offices in 2027 to step down from their positions.

Her resignation was not merely procedural but strategic, according to party insiders, giving the former lawmaker sufficient time to rebuild grassroots structures and re-engage constituents ahead of the 2027 contest.

President Tinubu personally commended her tenure at the Labour Ministry, noting that it brought “stability and administrative calm” to his administration.

The absence of any opposing aspirant for the party ticket underscores the strong grassroots support and political consensus that Onyejeocha commands in her constituency.

Onyejeocha is no stranger to the House of Representatives. She represented the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency from 2007 to 2023, making her one of the longest-serving federal lawmakers from Abia State.

During her legislative career, she chaired key committees, including the aviation committee, and was widely recognised for constituency-focused interventions spanning rural electrification, school rehabilitation, youth empowerment programmes, and road projects that helped entrench strong voter loyalty across communities.

Her 16-year tenure was marked by what the Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council described as “impactful constituency projects” and “unwavering commitment” to the development of the area.

The traditional institution in Umunneochi has thrown its weight behind her candidacy. The Umunneochi Traditional Rulers Council, under the chairmanship of HRH Franklin Ohanaeze, has endorsed Onyejeocha to return to the House of Representatives. During a grand reception held in her honour at Peace Comprehensive Secondary School, Amuda Isuochi, the Council conferred the title “Anyanwu Na Enye Ihie 1” of Umunneochi on Onyejeocha, describing her as an illustrious daughter and a woman of proven capacity.

The Council also conferred the title “Ike Oha Umunneochi” on President Tinubu. The monarchs highlighted her contributions, including facilitating projects such as the Federal Polytechnic Ngodo Isuochi and a Federal School of Aviation, as well as her philanthropic efforts through the Nkeiruka Onyejeocha Foundation, which focuses on empowering the less privileged and providing annual free medical outreach.