● Denies Oshiomhole’s ally House of Reps ticket
The outcome of last Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primaries in Imo State has sparked internal discontent, with some party members accusing Governor Hope Uzodimma of influencing the selection process.
Several APC loyalists allege that candidates were chosen without open contest, a move they say could weaken the party’s standing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Investigations show that the situation is creating unease within the ranks of APC loyalists in the state, many of who are pointing the finger at Governor Hope Uzodimma, for his alleged role in hand-picking eventual winners.
A party chieftain from Ideato North, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, for fear of victimisation, accused the governor of disenfranchising the people of the area, particularly APC supporters, by denying them the chance of deciding who should represent them at the lower chambers, come 2027.
Another APC loyalist, Ambrose Oraise, from Aboh Mbaise, said what the governor’s role in the entire affairs amounted to playing God.
He warned that the APC risked outright rejection of its candidates during the forthcoming General Election which would eventually affect the chances of President Bola Tinubu in the state.
According to him, “Governor Uzodimma is pushing his luck too far with his manner of riding roughshod on the people’s will or opinion,” adding “he is only playing selfish politics, fighting only for his political life and not caring how it will affect the Presidential election in the state.”
His position: “The ruling APC on Saturday failed to conduct credible and transparent primary elections for the House of Representatives seats, and should await the consequences at the General Election.
“How can the governor be the sole decision maker of who and who not will represent us? That, to me is not democracy. It is not. How can you be picking people who never bought forms and make them candidates against the more stronger aspirants who were prepared and ready to deliver the party.
“How can you sincerely say you are working for President Tinubu’s re-election yet you refused to carry people like Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Rochas Okorocha and many other leaders along in the state just because you want to be governor and Senator at the same time”.
Governor Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), it would appear is walking slippery paths on several fronts, including among his fellow colleagues, many of whom are said to be itching to have him removed from the position.
Uzodimma, is alleged to be contending with a serious crisis of trust, over a huge sum of money under his care, which, as further alleged, he is at task o account for.
Another high ranking APC chieftain in the state who volunteered to speak on the simmering row over the governor’s overbearing role, mentioned some of the affected federal constituencies. He however declined that his name be mentioned.
According to him, some of the areas where the governor did not allow for free and fair party primary election included Ideato South.
He said: “In Ideato South Federal Constituency, the governor picked Sandra Inyama who never bought form. She was handed the ticket against stronger aspirants from the area.
“The same thing happened in Okigwe North, where the ticket was given to Uchenna Agasu who picked the House of Assembly form, but in a surprise move the ticket was given to him against stronger aspirants from the area.
“Another shocker was in Okigwe South, where an ally of the former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Comrade Simon Ebegbulem), was denied the ticket in favour of Hon. Jonas Okeke who left Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the APC only about six months back.
“And, it was learnt that Comrade Ebegbulem, a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the state was assured of the ticket by the governor in 2022, after he stepped down for Hon. Chike Okafor. The same governor jettisoned the agreement and anointed Hon. Okeke.”
Governor Uzodimma, whose tenure in office runs till 2028, is vying for return to the Senate, ahead of the completion of his term at the Government House, Owerri.
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