IDEATO APC STAKEHOLDERS DEFEND UZODIMMA'S CANDIDACY, REJECT OKOROCHA'S POLITICAL AGENDA -

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IDEATO APC STAKEHOLDERS DEFEND UZODIMMA’S CANDIDACY, REJECT OKOROCHA’S POLITICAL AGENDA

The political battle over the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election has taken a fresh twist as party leaders and stakeholders in Ideato Federal Constituency have openly disowned former Governor Rochas Okorocha, declaring that he neither enjoys their endorsement nor speaks for the constituency’s APC structure in his confrontation with Governor Hope Uzodimma. The declaration was made during a press conference read by the APC National Ex-Officio (Southeast), Sir. Ikechukwu Umeh PhD, on behalf of the party’s leaders and stakeholders.

The stakeholders described attempts to associate Ideato APC with Okorocha’s political agitation as misleading and an unauthorised appropriation of the constituency’s collective identity for personal political interests. They maintained that political parties operate through recognised structures and collective decisions, insisting that Okorocha’s status as a former governor or founding member of the APC does not automatically confer on him the authority to speak for the party’s present leadership in Ideato.

On the APC Imo West Senatorial primary conducted on May 18, 2026, the stakeholders reaffirmed Governor Uzodimma’s emergence as the party’s duly elected and declared candidate, following the announcement of 230,464 votes for Uzodimma against 1,098 votes for Okorocha by the party’s returning officer, Rear Admiral Williams Kayoda (rtd.). They described the margin as a clear demonstration of the preference of APC members across Orlu Zone and rejected attempts to undermine the officially announced outcome through alternative political narratives.

Explaining their opposition to Okorocha’s renewed political ambition, the Ideato APC leaders questioned his developmental record during his eight-year tenure as governor and four years as senator representing Orlu Zone. They cited the deplorable condition of the Umuchima-Urualla-Akokwa Road, Umuchima gully erosion, the abandoned Okwelle-Isiekenesi-Ntueke Road, Orie Akokwa and Eke-Obodo markets, insecurity in Arondizuogu, the Eastern Palm University controversy and prolonged electricity challenges across Ideato communities as areas of concern during his years in office.

In contrast, the stakeholders commended Governor Uzodimma for what they described as renewed infrastructural and developmental attention to the constituency. They highlighted interventions on the Mgbee-Umuchima-Urualla-Akokwa Road, Okwelle-Isiekenesi-Ntueke Road and Orie Akokwa-Owerre Akokwa Road, the conversion of Eastern Palm University to a State owned University, Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU), and the completion of the Urashi electricity project. According to them, these interventions informed their support for Uzodimma and their determination to sustain the developmental gains.

Reacting to the October 29, 2026 judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu over the disputed APC Imo West Senatorial ticket, the stakeholders said they respected the judiciary but called on the national leadership of the party and its legal department to pursue appropriate appellate remedies. They urged the appellate courts to examine the authentic primary election records, declared results, reports of electoral monitors and relevant legal provisions, stressing that internal democracy and the expressed choices of party members must be protected.

The Ideato APC leaders consequently urged the media, the general public and party faithful to disregard any purported endorsement of Okorocha by the constituency’s party leadership. They reaffirmed their loyalty to Governor Uzodimma, commitment to APC unity and determination to protect the collective interests of Ideato people. The address was endorsed by APC Vice Chairman (Southeast), Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu; the APC National Ex-Officio, Hon. Ikechukwu UmehPhD; the state APC Publicity Secretary, Onwuasonya FCC Jones PhD; members of the Imo State House of Assembly representing Ideato North and South, Rt. Hon. Okey Udeze and Rt. Hon. Johnson Iheonukara Duru; apex leaders Chief Ifeanyi Okafor and Chief Humphrey Ikeaka; and the two LGA APC chairmen, Engr. Chigozie Unogu and Hon. Njaka Duruiheoma.