All our candidates have been uploaded into INEC portal – Onyedebelu, says

…As functionaries vow to deliver Okigwe party chairmen and govt

The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its interactive meeting with party officials and elected government functionaries from Okigwe Zone, with a strong declaration that names of all APC candidates of Imo State extraction have been uploaded in INEC portal.

The party called for grassroots mobilization, unity and full preparations for the 2027 general elections.

A release from the Okigwe Road secretariat said the meeting, held with the six Local Government Area party chairmen, ward chairmen from the 64 electoral wards in the zone, councillors and local government council chairmen, focused on strengthening the party structure ahead of future elections.

Addressing the gathering, the Imo APC State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, said the purpose of the meeting was to assess the working relationship between party officials and political leaders in the zone and to ensure the party remained on the path of victory.

“We want to know how well you are working with the leaders from Okigwe Zone in order to mobilize the party for the upcoming 2027 general elections and set it on winning ways,” he said.

Chief Onyedebelu also dismissed speculations surrounding the party’s candidates, declaring that the nomination process had already been concluded.

“All our candidates are already at the National Secretariat in Abuja and cannot be changed. All our candidates have been uploaded into the INEC portal and all are intact,” he stated.

The state chairman charged the local government council chairmen to remain committed to effective governance, warning that their chances of securing the party’s ticket for another term would depend on their performance.

“For you to seek re-election will depend on how well you are working, and it will determine whether the party will give you its ticket or not,” he said.

In what was received with applause by party officials, Chief Onyedebelu announced that Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma had approved new Hummer buses for all Local Government Area party chairmen to enhance their operations.

“For LGA party chairmen, the Governor has approved new Hummer buses for you and they will soon be distributed. For the ward chairmen, we are also working out plans to improve your mobility,” he announced.

To further strengthen the party’s grassroots structure, the chairman directed every ward chairman to establish booth executive committees across all polling units.

“Go to your wards and form 27 booth executives, and the executives must be registered voters. Supply us with the details of the 27 booth executives within two weeks,” he instructed.

He also urged party leaders at all levels to embark on reconciliation efforts by reaching out to members who may have felt neglected or aggrieved.

“Reach out to all aggrieved party members,” he charged.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Imo APC State Secretary, Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim, reminded party officials that the responsibility for electoral victories rested squarely on the shoulders of the ward and local government party leadership.

“The party structure has been handed over to the LGA and ward chairmen to win elections. The responsibility of winning elections is yours. Go and make APC proud because you are the APC the people are seeing,” he said.

Responding on behalf of Okigwe Zone, the Deputy State Chairman of the party, Arc. Allen Enwerem, reaffirmed the zone’s commitment to delivering overwhelming victories for the APC in future elections.

“Okigwe Zone has done well more than any other zone when it comes to winning elections and votes. All of Okigwe Zone has decided that we will support the Governor and the party to succeed. Despite what we have done in the past, we will do even better this time around. Okigwe Zone will deliver as usual,” he assured.

The interactive meeting was attended by five executive chairmen of local government councils from Okigwe Zone, with one chairman absent due to ill health, the six Local Government Area APC chairmen, ward chairmen from the 64 electoral wards, councillors and other party stakeholders across the zone.

The meeting forms part of the ongoing statewide engagement by the Imo APC leadership aimed at consolidating the party’s grassroots structures, promoting internal cohesion and positioning the party for continued electoral success in the 2027 general elections.