Gov Uzodimma Assures Imo Aspirants of Fair Play at APC Primaries

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has assured all aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) of a level playing field ahead of the upcoming elections.

He also disclosed plans to construct a new and larger state secretariat for the party to accommodate its growing membership.

Uzodimma made this disclosure during a critical stakeholders’ forum of the Imo APC held at the party’s secretariat in Owerri at the weekend.

The governor told party stakeholders, leaders, and current members of the National and State Assemblies that the APC had grown and gained prominence due to its people-oriented and progressive policies.

He further told the National and State Assembly members and other stakeholders that their loyalty had contributed to the APC’s growing dominance in Imo, attributing it to the party’s “people-oriented and progressive policies.”

He assured all aspirants of a level playing ground during the forthcoming primaries, stating that there was ample proof of the APC’s popularity, and urged them to be sportsmanlike.

The governor said the APC would uphold the highest standards of internal democracy and fair competition, urging members to maintain loyalty and discipline regardless of the outcome of the nomination process.

He said, “The majority of our people have affirmed that the APC is doing well, not just in Imo State but across Nigeria. Our programmes have continued to impact our people positively; hence, the near extinction of any form of opposition in the state.”

He added, “It will not be out of place to say that the APC is the only party that is truly in existence in our state.”

He noted that, due to the party’s popularity in the state, the current secretariat had become too small, adding that plans were underway to relocate to a bigger facility.

Thereafter, the governor directed the State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, to apply to the Ministry of Lands for the allocation of land to build a “bigger and more befitting” state secretariat.

On his part, the Imo State APC Chairman, Chief Onyedebelu, expressed gratitude to the governor for his support for the party in Imo, the Southeast, and Nigeria at large. He said the governor’s leadership was responsible for the APC’s “overwhelming popularity” in the state and commended stakeholders for their donations to support party operations.

The forum drew several top party figures, including members of the National Assembly from Imo, former deputy governors, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff Nnamdi Anyaehie, former state chairmen of the party, members of the Imo State House of Assembly, council chairmen, LGA party chairmen, and aspirants for various positions.

Meanwhile, the State Publicity Secretary, Dr Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, expressed the party’s gratitude to the governor and stakeholders, and reaffirmed its faith in Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to the APC’s progressive ideals.