Uzodimma Assures APC Aspirants Of Level Playing Field In Imo Elections

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

This is even as he disclosed plans to construct a new, and larger state secretariat for the party to accommodate the growing membership.

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

The governor told party stakeholders, leaders, current national and state assembly members that the APC had grown and gained prominence due to the people-oriented and progressive policies.

He told the national and state assembly members, and other stakeholders that their loyalty attributed to APC’s growing dominance in Imo to its “people-oriented and progressive policies.”

He assured all the aspirants of a level playing ground during the forthcoming primaries, even as he stated that there proofs 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, and urged them 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 programs have continued to impact positively on our people, hence, the near extinguishment 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 really in existence in our state.”

He noted that due to the popularity of the party in the state, the current secretariat had become small and said plans were underway to move to a bigger place.

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

On his part, Imo State APC chairman, Chief Onyedebelu expressed gratitude to the governor for his support to the party in Imo, the Southeast, and Nigeria at large, saying that the governor’s leadership was responsible for the APC’s overwhelming popularity in the state even as he 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, 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 Jones, has 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.