Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has urged members of the party to remain united and align with the decisions of the All Progressives Congress following the conclusion of the primaries.
The governor stated this during the party’s expanded stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre in Owerri.
Uzodimma said the party’s decisions were final and appealed to aggrieved members to accept the outcome in good faith and work towards the party’s victory in the 2027 general elections.
He reiterated the need for Imo State and the South-East to strengthen their position in national politics by ensuring that President Bola Tinubu secures overwhelming support from the state in the next election, thereby enhancing the region’s political bargaining power.
The governor also praised President Tinubu for supporting his vision for the development and prosperity of Imo State, arguing that the significant infrastructural and social renewal witnessed in the state would not have been possible without the President’s support.
“We must work harder to ensure that President Bola Tinubu gets a huge number of votes from this state in the coming election as a show of gratitude for his sterling performance and, especially, for his goodwill towards the state and the South-East. It is to the credit of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, that I have changed the face of Imo State for the better,” he said.
Speaking at the meeting, the APC State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, commended aspirants for what he described as their display of sportsmanship and loyalty following the primaries that produced the party’s candidates across various constituencies in the state.
Onyedebelu congratulated the candidates and appealed to those who were unsuccessful to remain patient and respect the party’s decision.
“Now that the primaries have come and gone, I warmly congratulate all those who emerged as candidates of our great party. To those who were not fortunate this time, I appeal for patience and understanding,” he said.
He also commended Governor Uzodimma for providing leadership that ensured the successful and peaceful conduct of the primaries, while praising party members for their discipline and loyalty before, during and after the exercise.
Onyedebelu advised those who might still be disappointed by the outcome of the nomination process to accept the result in good faith.
“In every political contest, there can only be one winner,” he said.
He, however, assured all aspirants of the party’s commitment to ensuring that everyone would be adequately accommodated in its programmes and activities.
Several aspirants who participated in the primaries, including those who contested for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly tickets, commended the party leadership for conducting what they described as transparent, fair and credible primaries.
Among those who spoke at the event were Chief Longers Anyanwu, Lady Gloria Akobundu and Hon. Ike Kennedy Odoeme, who contested for the APC’s Imo North Senatorial ticket, as well as Dr Chijioke Kaduru and Hon. Belusochukwu Enwere, who sought the party’s Imo East Senatorial ticket.
Some unsuccessful House of Assembly and House of Representatives aspirants also congratulated the winners and pledged their continued loyalty to the party.
The APC senatorial candidate for Imo East District, Prince Alex Mbata, and Senator Patrick Ndubueze spoke on behalf of the party’s successful candidates, while Prince Lemmy Akakem, CMarcellinus Nlemigbo, Rex Anunobi and Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri spoke on behalf of party leaders from the three senatorial districts.
