Fresh signs of discontent are emerging within the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the conclusion of the party's primaries for National Assembly and State House of Assembly positions.
Several unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters have expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, alleging irregularities and a lack of transparency in the selection process. The growing frustration has sparked threats of defections from the party if concerns raised are not addressed.
Reports indicate that social media has been awash with reactions from aggrieved aspirants across various constituencies, many of whom claim the exercise fell short of democratic standards.
Particularly vocal are two aspirants from Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, who, in separate videos circulating online, alleged that despite investing heavily in the process, they were denied a fair contest. They described the exercise as a charade and warned that they may leave the party if corrective measures are not taken.
One of the dissatisfied aspirants questioned the emergence of a candidate allegedly declared winner of a House of Assembly ticket despite not purchasing the relevant nomination form.
«“How can one who didn’t buy form for House of Assembly be handed the ticket without primaries and someone expects us to keep quiet”»
Similar concerns have reportedly surfaced in Owerri Zone, where some party stakeholders are accusing the APC leadership of concentrating key tickets in a single local government area.
The controversy follows the emergence of Hon. Tochukwu Okere and Prince Alex Mbata, both from Owerri North Local Government Area, as the party's candidates for the House of Representatives and Senate respectively. Critics argue that other blocs within the zone, including Mbaise/Ngor Okpala and Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, were sidelined despite fielding qualified aspirants.
Some party members have also questioned what they describe as a contradiction between Governor Hope Uzodimma's advocacy for equity and zoning and the outcome of the primaries, which saw both major tickets in the zone go to candidates from the same local government area.
Beyond Owerri Zone, concerns have also been reported in Ohaji/Egbema, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, and Okigwe North Federal Constituencies.
In Ohaji/Egbema, members of the Ohaji clan are said to be unhappy with the return ticket granted to incumbent lawmaker Eugene Dibiagwu for the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency. Community leaders argue that no indigene of Ohaji has represented the constituency in the House of Representatives since 1999 and had hoped the current cycle would provide that opportunity.
The dissatisfaction has been intensified by the participation of Engr. Peter Chukwuemeka Akpelu, who purchased nomination forms and contested for the ticket before Dibiagwu was declared winner.
In Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency, similar grievances have reportedly emerged, while in Okigwe North Federal Constituency, some party members are contesting the emergence of Uche Agasu, alleging that he had initially sought a State House of Assembly ticket rather than a House of Representatives seat.
Tensions are also said to be rising in the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, where some aspirants have questioned the emergence of Ngozi Pat-Ekeji, alleging that due process was not followed during the selection process.
Sources within the party suggest that the APC leadership in Imo State is closely monitoring the growing unrest, amid concerns that unresolved grievances could trigger a wave of defections and further deepen divisions within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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