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 exit the National Assembly.

Abaribe has represented Abia South in the Senate for nearly two decades—a tenure Ikonne claims has delivered little in terms of development for the district.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday after obtaining his nomination and expression of interest forms, Ikonne pledged to provide effective representation from 2027 if elected, urging the incumbent to “prepare to vacate the seat.”

Ikonne, the immediate past Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) under former President Muhammadu Buhari, said his decision to join the race was driven by the need to deliver quality representation to Abia South.

According to him, the district has suffered years of underperformance at the National Assembly.

“My ambition is rooted in service, development, and a commitment to restore purposeful representation to our people,” he said.

When asked about his chances, Ikonne issued a direct political challenge to Abaribe, stating that after nearly two decades in office, it was time for the senator to step aside.

“If you are familiar with Senator Abaribe, you will realise that he is more of an attention seeker and a media creation. He has lost touch with the grassroots, and our people are saying enough is enough—it is time for him to return home,” he said.

“Abia South today does not reflect the kind of representation it deserves. That is why I have stepped forward—to offer real representation, align our people with the federal government, and attract the development our district needs.”

Ikonne said his campaign would focus on moving representation from rhetoric to tangible results through infrastructure development, empowerment programmes, and strategic interventions.

He also expressed confidence in the 11th Senate, describing it as a “consolidating legislature” that will build on the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition Nigeria.

He called on Nigerians, regardless of political, ethnic, or religious affiliations, to support the President’s reform agenda, which he said is aimed at long-term national transformation and prosperity.

With the purchase of his nomination forms, the contest for the Abia South senatorial seat appears to have entered a defining phase.