As the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) expires later this year, some organisations have called on the party’s leadership to zone the national publicity secretary position to Imo State.
The groups, who made the call over the weekend at a joint press conference, are Coalition for Progressive Voice, Ohanaeze Political Alliance, Imo APC Media Vanguard, and the Southeast Democratic Forum.
According to the groups, since the formation of the APC in 2013, Imo had never been given the opportunity to produce the party’s chief spokesperson, despite being one of the most consistent and strategic APC strongholds in the South East.
Describing the state as the ideological and operational base of the APC in the region, the groups said it deserves equitable representation in the party’s highest organ.
They expressed their displeasure over what they termed “systematic neglect” of Imo’s contributions to the party’s national success.
Further, they emphasized that the state parades a wealth of competent professionals in the fields of media, political communication, and public affairs, many of whom had served as Commissioners of Information, party spokesmen, and media consultants to various administrations.
“Imo has remained unwavering in its loyalty to the APC, delivering solid electoral outcomes and demonstrating remarkable party discipline. It is therefore unfair that for over a decade, no indigene of the state has occupied the position of National Publicity Secretary,” the group said.
Chief Kelechi Onyenaucheya, a chieftain of the APC in said “it is about justice and tapping into the best hands for the task of national party communication as we approach a critical election season. This is not about entitlement”.
On his part, Barr. Theodore Ogbuehi, convener of the Imo APC New Direction Forum, described the forthcoming national convention as “a watershed moment” for the party.
He said “if the APC must win the trust of the South East, it must demonstrate inclusion. Giving Imo the slot of the National Publicity Secretary is not just a reward; it is a strategic decision to strengthen the APC brand in the region, and give it a face that is acceptable to the people,” he stated.
On her part, Hon. Elvira Obiareri, a political analyst and leading voice in the Progressive Women of South East, supported the clamour saying the party needs effective communicators to manage perception and public trust. “The South East has often been misunderstood politically. A competent voice from Imo at the national level can help change that narrative. We have the capacity, pedigree, and the structure on ground”, she said.
Sources within the party hinted that the next National Convention of the APC is tentatively slated for early 2026, with discussions ongoing around zoning and internal restructuring already underway.
As a result, the Imo-based groups have already begun mobilising support across states and caucuses, determined to ensure their demand does not go unnoticed during the crucial negotiations that precede the convention.
They argued that the Imo agitation would not only address the perceived long-standing imbalance within the APC, but also help consolidate the party’s influence in the South East, a region where it seeks greater traction.
Another stakeholder, Professor Uche Anumba of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University said representation matters, adding “a strong national voice from Imo will signal seriousness and inclusiveness, two things the APC must project ahead of the next general elections.”
