2027: APP Picks Chima Amadi For Imo East Senatorial Race

The Action People’s Party (APP) has adopted Dr Chima Matthew Amadi, popularly known as Mazi Gburugburu, as its consensus candidate for the Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was reached during the party’s senatorial primary held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the APP Secretariat on Okigwe Road, Ugwu Orji, Owerri.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise, which was chaired by the party’s National Organising Secretary and Chairman of the Owerri Senatorial District Primary Election Committee, Barrister Obed Agu.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by Anyanwu Glory Ammarachi, Director of Public Relations and New Media for The Mazi Organization (TMO).

Party leaders present at the exercise included the National Chairman of APP, Barrister Uche Nnadi; the Imo State Chairman, Hon. Njesi Ernest Anayo; local government party chairmen; and other members of the party executive.

Amadi, who hails from Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, is expected to benefit from the existing zoning arrangement within Owerri Zone, which many political stakeholders believe favours Ngor Okpala for the senatorial seat.

In his acceptance speech, Amadi commended party members for their loyalty and commitment despite alleged inducements from rival political parties.

He also raised concerns over the security situation in Imo State, citing the recent killing of a community vigilante operative in Umuguma, Owerri West, which he described as evidence of governance failure despite funds allocated for security operations.

The senatorial ambition is also seen as part of Amadi’s broader political plans ahead of the 2027 elections. Through The Mazi Organization (TMO), he has also indicated interest in contesting the Imo State governorship election scheduled for November 2027.

The Imo East Senatorial seat is currently occupied by Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, who is reportedly eyeing the governorship position.

Other major political parties have also produced candidates for the Owerri Zone Senate race, including former Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Sir Alex Mbata for the All Progressives Congress (APC).