BY JENNIFER JOHN / OWERRI
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Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo, on Thursday, urged APC aspirants and stakeholders in the state to prioritise unity, sacrifice, loyalty, and fairness as the party heads toward its primaries.
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Uzodimma made the call during a meeting with party leaders as well as senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly aspirants at the Government House, Owerri.
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The governor, who said that the collective interest of the party superseded personal ambition, acknowledged the tension often associated with the political season.
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“Power does not come easy.
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“Politics is not lottery.
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“You either win or lose, and you must have the courage to understand the business you are involved in,” he said.
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He called for courage, patience, discipline, loyalty and sportsmanship among the aspirants, before, during, and after the primaries.
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“There is need for obedience and loyalty to the party before, during and after primaries.
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“That is consistency which is what our partisan democracy requires,” he said.
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According to him, the APC national leadership has introduced certain mechanisms that may subtly favour some aspirants.
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The governor said the party was supreme, but there were local factors that would be considered to ensure justice and equity during the primaries.
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The governor also defended his support for the “Charter of Equity” principle, a power-sharing agreement to ensure political balance in the state.
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Uzodimma assured them that party primaries would be transparent and credible.
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He disclosed that nine aspirants were jostling for the party’s three senatorial tickets while 60 aspirants applied to secure the party’s tickets for the nine House of Representatives positions.
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The governor further revealed that 108 aspirants procured forms to fly the party’s flag for the 27 state constituency seats.
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“With these number of applicants, I don’t see how we can guarantee consensus.
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“For the state House of Assembly primaries, we will adopt option A4, where aspirants would openly test their popularity before party members.
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“No one should think that because he bought a form, Hope Uzodimma will automatically decree him the candidate,” he said.
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He stressed that his only concern remained the stability, progress, and continued development of the state.
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“We have worked hard, prayed, and sacrificed to bring Imo to this level.
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“We do not want this state to go backwards again,” he added.
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Earlier, the State Chairman of APC, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, commended Uzodimma for his visionary leadership and commitment in strengthening the party’s structure in the state.
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Onyedebelu disclosed that the party office located at 47 Okigwe Road had been renovated and equipped with modern facilities to create a more conducive environment for the party’s activities.
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The chairman further appreciated the governor for approving the construction of a new state-of-the-art APC secretariat in the state, describing it as a “lasting political legacy”.
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He said that in spite of the disagreements that often follow primary elections, the party had already activated reconciliatory mechanisms aimed at promoting peace, unity, and harmony among members.
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“Our administration operates an open-door policy.
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“The APC office at 47 Okigwe Road belongs to every stakeholder in the State and not just the State Working Committee,” the chairman said.
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Others who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, including Sen. Osita Izunaso, Rep. Miriam Onuorah, and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Amara Iwuanyawu, passed a vote of confidence on Uzodimma.
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They lauded the governor’s leadership qualities and pledged their support for party’s leadership as well vowed to abide by the party’s decision during and after the primaries.
