305 APC WARD CHAIRMEN REJECT ALLEGED MOVE TO RETURN ALL COUNCILLORS, WARN AGAINST UNDERMINING GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP

305 APC WARD CHAIRMEN REJECT ALLEGED MOVE TO RETURN ALL COUNCILLORS, WARN AGAINST UNDERMINING GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP

Describe Us as Grassroots Generals, Not Political Spectators – We Must Be Carried Along in Choosing Those Who Represent Our Wards.

The attention of the 305 APC Ward Chairmen in Imo State has been drawn to a publication in The News Update, Thursday Special Edition of November 5, 2026, under the headline: “IMO LG POLLS: APC STAKEHOLDERS PUSH FOR THE RE-ELECTION OF ALL COUNCILLORS.”

While we acknowledge the right of every stakeholder to express an opinion on the political future of our party, we consider it necessary to unequivocally dissociate the 305 APC Ward Chairmen from any arrangement, understanding or political decision aimed at securing the automatic re-election of all incumbent councillors without meaningful consultation with the respective ward leadership.

Our position is clear, firm and unequivocal: WE DO NOT SUPPORT ANY POLITICAL ARRANGEMENT THAT SEEKS TO DETERMINE THE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR WARDS WITHOUT THE INPUT AND PARTICIPATION OF THE WARD CHAIRPERSONS.

The 305 Ward Chairmen are not merely party officials occupying positions on paper. We are the grassroots generals, the foot soldiers, the mobilisers and the direct link between the party’s leadership and the people. We understand the political realities of our respective wards because we live with the people, interact with them daily, manage party structures and bear the responsibility of mobilising support for the APC.

It is therefore unreasonable and politically counterproductive for anyone, irrespective of position or influence, to assume that the choice of councillors can be concluded at the top without carrying along the very people who are expected to defend, promote and deliver those candidates at the grassroots.

We wish to make it abundantly clear that the right to represent a ward must not be reduced to an entitlement, a reward for political connections or an automatic continuation of an existing arrangement. Incumbency alone should not be the determining factor. Performance, accessibility, loyalty to the party, grassroots acceptance, competence and the ability to represent the genuine interests of the people must be given adequate consideration.

We are not against any incumbent councillor seeking re-election. Indeed, any serving councillor who has performed creditably and enjoys the confidence of the people should be free to seek another mandate. However, such a decision must emerge through a transparent, consultative and democratic process that gives the ward leadership and party faithful their rightful place.

A DIRECT APPEAL TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR

At this critical political moment, we respectfully call on His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to take particular interest in this development and ensure that the legitimate interests of the 305 APC Ward Chairmen are not overlooked.

Your Excellency, we make this appeal not out of confrontation, disrespect or any intention to challenge the authority of the government or the party leadership. Rather, we speak from a position of responsibility and genuine concern for the continued unity, strength and electoral success of our great party.

The political consequences of sidelining ward chairmen in decisions concerning councillorship positions could be grave. We are the people who will return to the wards to explain, defend and market these decisions to the electorate. We are also the people who will bear the greater burden of political disappointment, resentment and possible electoral setbacks should candidates be imposed against the wishes and expectations of the grassroots.

It would therefore be unfair to exclude us from the decision-making process and subsequently hold us responsible for outcomes over which we had no meaningful influence.

A WORD TO PARTY STAKEHOLDERS

We respectfully remind all political stakeholders that the strength of the APC in Imo State is rooted in its grassroots structures. No political arrangement can sustainably succeed by disregarding the people who maintain those structures.

The 305 Ward Chairmen will not fold their arms and watch the legitimate interests of their respective wards being compromised through decisions made without their involvement. We are prepared to use every legitimate party and democratic channel available to resist any attempt to undermine the ward leadership or impose a political arrangement that disregards our collective position.

We will not take kindly to any stakeholder who deliberately attempts to circumvent the ward structures or treat the Ward Chairmen as irrelevant in the selection of councillors. Our position is not a threat to anybody; it is a declaration of our responsibility, our political relevance and our determination to protect the integrity of the party at the grassroots.

2027 GENERAL ELECTION: LET US NOT CREATE AVOIDABLE POLITICAL PROBLEMS.

As the 2027 general elections approach, the APC should be concentrating on strengthening internal cohesion, rewarding genuine loyalty, reconciling aggrieved members, expanding its grassroots influence and preparing for overwhelming electoral victories.

This is not the time to create unnecessary divisions, breed resentment or alienate the very structures expected to deliver electoral victories.

An aggrieved grassroots structure is a potential political liability. A motivated and respected grassroots structure, on the other hand, is one of the strongest assets any political party can possess.

We therefore urge the state party leadership, government functionaries, elected representatives and all concerned stakeholders to embrace inclusive leadership, meaningful consultation and internal democracy.

OUR POSITION IN SUMMARY IS SIMPLE:

The 305 APC Ward Chairmen do not support the automatic re-election of all incumbent councillors without proper consultation.

Ward Chairmen must be actively involved in determining who represents their respective wards.

Incumbent councillors should be assessed on merit, performance, loyalty and grassroots acceptance.

No stakeholder should undermine or bypass the legitimate structures of the party at the ward level.

The interest, unity and electoral success of APC must take precedence over individual political interests.

We remain loyal to the APC, committed to the leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, and dedicated to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

However, loyalty must not be mistaken for silence, and party discipline must not be interpreted as surrendering the legitimate rights of grassroots leaders.

WE ARE THE GRASSROOTS GENERALS. WE KNOW OUR PEOPLE, WE UNDERSTAND OUR WARDS, AND WE MUST BE CARRIED ALONG IN DECISIONS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR PEOPLE.

The APC must build with its grassroots, not overrule them. The 305 Ward Chairmen deserve a seat at the table, not an invitation to defend decisions already taken.

OUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR UNITY. OUR VICTORY IS IN OUR GRASSROOTS.

ISSUED BY:

THE 305 APC WARD CHAIRMEN, IMO STATE.

For and on behalf of the 305 APC Ward Chairmen.

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