Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo State, has met with candidates running for various elected offices under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In advance of the primaries, which begin today, May 15, 2026, he exhorted them to embrace loyalty, discipline, and sacrifice.
Speaking at the gathering of Party stakeholders and candidates in the Banquet Hall of Government House, Owerri, the Governor emphasized that politics is a game of bravery rather than a lottery and that some individuals would win while others will lose.
Uzodinma asked candidates to stay loyal to the Party before, during, and after the primaries while cautioning against becoming desperate.
He warned candidates to consider all the dangers before entering the election and to avoid spending funds intended for their children’s school tuition to purchase forms, pointing out that political contests may be compared to games.
In order to maintain transparency and prevent charges of favoritism in situations where agreement failed, the Governor also said that the Party would use the Option A4 voting system in the primaries.
Uzodinma also promised that the APC Committee for the conduct of the primaries and the Appeal Committee have been established to handle any issues that may arise from the primaries, and he asked candidates and stakeholders to observe equality and rotation formulas where they exist in their communities.
He regretted the high number of candidates for various elective posts, which is why it is important to make sure the exercise is carried out in a way that would benefit all participants.
Austin Onyedebelu, the party’s State Chairman, reiterated in his speech the APC’s dedication to electoral success, unity, and reconciliation in front of the general elections in 2027.
He continued by saying that the State Executive Committee had taken action to realign the Party for increased effectiveness, cohesion, and advancement.
Onyedebelu maintained that reconciliation measures have been put in place to ensure rancor-free exercise while acknowledging that he is aware that concerns may come from the primaries.
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