Accept outcome of APC primaries, Uzodimma tells aggrieved aspirants, members

Photo: Governor Hope Uzodimma (left) with the Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, during the Party’s Stakeholders meeting at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre Owerri… Monday.

Governor Hope Uzodimma has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State to remain united following the Party’s primary elections, stressing that collective interest must take precedence over personal ambitions.

Speaking at a post-primary stakeholders’ meeting, held Monday, June 1, 2026 at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre Owerri, Uzodimma congratulated the Party’s newly elected officials and candidates, describing the Congresses and Primaries as successful exercises that strengthened the APC ahead of future elections.

The Governor urged aggrieved aspirants to accept the outcome of the primaries in the spirit of sportsmanship and Party loyalty, noting that contests naturally produce winners and losers.

“There is no way to build consensus without sacrifice. Politics is about service to the people, not personal interests,” he said.

Uzodimma highlighted achievements recorded under his administration and reaffirmed his commitment to discipline, equity, fair play and inclusive economic growth in the State.

He regretted that in the past, Imo State was always in the news for the wrong reasons of unnecessary political contestation with the attendant huge expenses that went with it, and said time has come for the politicians in the State to introduce some hygiene in the system by way of making the necessary sacrifices which should be service to the people rather than for self aggrandizement.

Governor Uzodimma said Imo State will benefit more where sincere consensus arrangement, like the one the APC  champions which is anchored on desire to serve rather than to be served, is vigorously pursued.

The Governor then  urged Imo people 

to see the APC as a viable going concern worthy of their buy-in, and refuse to be deceived by the ubiquity of mushroom political Parties in their environment that cannot bring any meaningful return on their investments when the chips are down.

He used the opportunity to praise President Bola Tinubu for supporting the development of Imo State and called on Party members to intensify voter registration efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

“The strength of our Party is your strength. Let us unite, accommodate one another and work together for victory,” he said, urging the APC members to support all Party candidates and ensure the Party’s continued dominance in the State.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Chief Austin Onyedebelu,  commended the Party members for their peaceful conduct during the recently concluded 2026 primary elections, describing the exercise as a “demonstration of political maturity and commitment to democracy.”

Onyedebelu noted that the direct primaries for legislative and presidential candidates were conducted across the State without any reported violence.

He lauded Governor Uzodimma for providing the leadership and enabling environment that ensured the success of the exercise.

Congratulating successful candidates, the Imo State APC Chairman urged them to remain humble and inclusive, while appealing to unsuccessful aspirants to stay loyal to the Party.

“Politics is a journey, not a destination. Losing today does not mean losing forever,” he said.

Drawing from his personal political experience, Onyedebelu said persistence and loyalty had earned him several leadership opportunities, stressing that “loyalty pays, patience pays, and consistency pays.” 

He therefore called on Party members to unite behind APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In their respective speeches, former aspirants of the Party in the State to the positions of House of Assembly and Senate described the Party’s primary process as transparent and free of intimidation, stressing that aspirants paid only the approved fees and were treated fairly.

Hon. Nnamdi Obonna who aspired for the House of Assembly, said his decision to withdraw from the race was voluntary and informed by the Party’s zoning arrangement after consultations with leaders and stakeholders. He maintained that the primary election outcome reflected the wishes of Party members.

Other aspirants for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly, as well as leaders in the three senatorial zones of the State, all  reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, pledging to work for the victory of the Party and all its candidates during the 2027 general elections.