2027 Mbaitoli State Constituency : Ikpamezie in trouble over adoption saga

By Everest Ezihe, Owerri

Ahead of 2027 political dispensation and barely two weeks to All Progressives Congress, APC primaries, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, the incumbent Imo State House of Assembly member representing Mbaitoli State Constituency has invoked the wraths of his constitutents over recent media report of his adoption by stakeholders of the constitutency in a political meeting called, hosted at the instance of Hon. Henry Nwawuba’s Orodo ancestral home.

A group under the auspices of Concerned Mbaitoli Political Stakeholders led by Hon. Franklin Agu and Chief Ositadinma Okehi, the Coordinator and Secretary respectively in a press statement endorsed by them said members of the group were in attendance at the meeting and that there was never a time the issue of Ikpamezie’s second term ambition adoption was raised nor discussed.

They accused Ikpamezie and his cohorts of being “over ambitious and power drunk” and advised the lawmaker to desist from “tissues of falsehood” that could heat up the polity and destabilize the political strength of the council area.

Similarly, Hon. Kingsley Ononuju-Ekwedashike, the Deputy Political Apex leader in Mbaitoli and Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Imo Roads Maintenance Agency, IROMA have equally taken a swift on Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie and his purported “adoption” for second tenure.

Ononuju-Ekwedashike in a press statement emanating from his personal office titled; Re: False Claims of Adoption for Mbaitoli State Assembly and the Need to Respect Party Leadership.

He pointed out that his attention has been drawn to the ongoing claims, insinuations, and clandestine meetings being orchestrated in certain quarters regarding the alleged “adoption” of a candidate for the Mbaitoli State House of Assembly position.

The legal icon turned astute politician said, “after careful inquiries and consultations, I state categorically and without reservation that no such adoption has taken place.Let it be made abundantly clear: nobody has been adopted for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position.

“No individual, group, or gathering has the right nor the authority to proclaim or impose any candidate on the party or the people. Any such claim is false, misleading, unauthorized, and should be completely disregarded.

“More importantly, such actions amount to a direct insult and affront to the authority of His Excellency, the Governor of Imo State, who remains the undisputed leader of the party in the State.

Ononuju-Ekwedashike said it point blank that it’s only Governor Hope Uzodimma that has the political, constitutional, and moral authority to make or communicate such a directive where necessary.

He insisted that, for any individual or group to arrogate such powers to himself or themselves, in the absence of any pronouncement from the Governor, is not only disrespectful but a calculated attempt to undermine constituted authority and ridicule the leadership structure of the party.

According to him, “where the Governor has not spoken, nobody has the right to speak for him. Where the Governor has not directed, nobody has the authority to manufacture directives in his name or create the false impression that a decision has already been reached.

“Such conduct is political desperation taken too far and a dangerous attempt to arm-twist the system for selfish interests” he stated.

He observed that It’s therefore unacceptable for anyone to move around intimidating stakeholders, harassing party faithful, or arrogantly presenting himself as an “adopted” candidate.

“No one should gather a few individuals in private meetings and suddenly begin to claim ownership of the Mbaitoli State Assembly ticket.

“Such actions are disrespectful to the Governor, disrespectful to party elders, and disrespectful to the established structure of the party”.

The astute politician further observed the need to address a fundamental misconception that has continued to create confusion in the nation’s political space.

He re-emphasized that being elected or occupying a political office does not automatically make anyone the ultimate leader.

“Leadership is not defined merely by title or position. Leadership is earned through loyalty, consistency, maturity, sacrifice, experience, and commitment to the party and its values over time.

“It is therefore wrong for certain individuals to believe that because they occupy elective positions, they can sideline elders, intimidate stakeholders, suppress opposing voices, or assume powers that belong only to the recognized leadership of the party.

“Power is temporary, but true leadership is built on character, discipline, and respect for structure” he stated.

He made it clear that the conspiracies currently being peddled in the name of “adoption” will lead nowhere because wrong can never begotten right.

The revered politician also said that, “no amount of propaganda, intimidation, or political gang-up can replace due process. Nobody should arrogantly parade himself as the chosen candidate when no such decision exists”.

Ononuju-Ekwedashike further observed that it’s even more disturbing that some of the individuals now claiming to be leaders are not even consistent party men.

According to him, “some attend meetings across different political platforms depending on convenience. Today they claim loyalty here; tomorrow they openly fraternize elsewhere. Some openly support interests outside the party when it suits them, while others are nowhere to be found when genuine party activities and responsibilities arise.

“Yet, these same individuals gather themselves and begin to claim authority over party structures and stakeholders. That is unacceptable and cannot stand.

“Proper leadership must be clearly defined in Mbaitoli. Leaders are not those who merely occupy offices or boast of influence.

“True leaders are those who have stood firmly with the party, paid their dues, defended the structure, respected elders, and remained committed to the truth and unity of the party even in difficult times.

“As someone who served as Chairman of the Committee for the Local Government Elections, I ensured that due process, fairness, and transparency were upheld throughout the entire process.

“Candidates were carefully screened alongside a distinguished committee, and decisions reached were based on collective resolutions, properly documented and openly communicated. Those outcomes were never products of intimidation, conspiracy, political manipulation, or backdoor arrangements, he informed.

The politician also revealed that the meeting they held at the instance of Hon. Henry Nwawuba, that their discussions and resolutions were centered on how to strengthen and fortify the newly elected party Chairman in Mbaitoli, Chief Collins Obi, a man widely recognized for his capacity, competence, and commitment to delivering victories for the party.

He insisted that the essence of the gathering was to encourage unity and cooperation among stakeholders in supporting him and his executive members to effectively lead and reposition our party in Mbaitoli ahead of future elections.

“That was the clear purpose of the meeting. At no point was there any discussion, resolution, or decision regarding the adoption of any candidate for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position, and I am not aware of any such resolution whatsoever.

“Any attempt to twist the outcome of that meeting into a false narrative of endorsement or adoption is dishonest, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth”.

He passionately advised that the same principle of due process, consultation, fairness, and respect for constituted authority must also guide every political process concerning the Mbaitoli State Assembly position, noting that it will be unfair for them to be preaching the need for enforcement of internal democracy on one hand and tolerate political imposition and self-endorsement on the other hand.

“We must continue to uphold fairness, equity, and balance in the distribution of opportunities and positions. Justice across wards, zones, and stakeholders remains essential for unity, stability, and progress within the party and in Mbaitoli as a whole.

“As elders and stakeholders, we have a responsibility to speak the truth at all times, defend due process, and protect the integrity of the party from manipulation and selfish political ambitions.

Politics must not be reduced to conspiracy, blackmail, intimidation, or the desperate struggle to impose individuals against the collective will of the party leadership”.

Ononuju-Ekwedashike reiterated that what Mbaitoli constituency needs is disciplined, structured, and united leadership, not a situation where individuals wake up and begin issuing directives they have no authority to give.

He vehemently advised against somebody or group to be in a hurry to override due process, ridicule constituted authority, or sideline stakeholders simply to satisfy personal ambition.

“On my part, my support will always remain guided by principle, justice, and loyalty to the recognized leadership of the party. Where the leader directs, we follow. That is the structure and discipline that sustain every strong political family.

“Let it therefore be clearly understood by all concerned that no candidate has been adopted for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position.

“Any person or group making such claims is acting outside party authority, disrespecting the Governor, undermining party leadership, and attempting to deceive the public. Such actions are misleading, unacceptable, and will not stand.

“We must come together as stakeholders, respect constituted authority, define proper leadership, and take decisions that will advance the interests of Mbaitoli, our party, and our people.That is my position, and that is the truth” he assured.