The political landscape in Imo State shifted dramatically on Saturday after four serving members of the House of Representatives failed to secure return tickets during the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The primaries, held across the state’s 10 federal constituencies using the Option A4 voting system, produced a wave of fresh candidates while allowing some incumbents to retain their political footing. The exercise is already being viewed as one of the biggest shakeups within the Imo APC in recent years.
Among the lawmakers who lost out are Matthew Nwogu of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala, Miriam Odinaka Onuoha representing Okigwe South, Harrison Anozie Nwadike of Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele, and Emeka Martins Chinedu of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte. Their defeat signals growing internal competition and shifting alliances within the ruling party.
Several new candidates emerged from the primaries, including Ngozi Pat-Ekeji for Aboh/Ngor-Okpala, Chukwudi Anyanwuocha for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte, Sandra Inyama for Ideato North/South, and Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East. Others include Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South, Uchenna Agasu for Okigwe North, Dibiagwu Eugene for Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru-West, Cosmos Maduba for Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba, Akarachi Amadi for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, and Tochi Okere for Owerri Federal Constituency.
Ahead of the primaries, Governor Hope Uzodinma had assured party stakeholders that the process would follow the principles of equity and existing zoning arrangements within the APC. Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri, the governor insisted the party would not impose candidates on members.
Uzodinma explained that while every party member had the constitutional right to contest, the APC also needed to preserve internal agreements designed to maintain political balance and stability across constituencies and zones.
The governor defended the adoption of the Option A4 voting system, describing it as a transparent method that would allow wider participation by party members and strengthen the credibility of the exercise.
“APC would adopt the Option A4 system for its primaries, saying the method would guarantee transparency, credibility and wider participation of party members,” he stated.
Uzodinma also disclosed that nine aspirants purchased nomination forms for the senatorial contests, while 107 others entered the race for State House of Assembly tickets, highlighting the growing political activity within the party ahead of 2027.
He further noted that women and youths would receive priority consideration during the primaries as part of broader efforts to promote inclusive governance, while urging all aspirants to accept the outcome of the process in good faith.
The results from Saturday’s primaries have already intensified political conversations across Imo State, with analysts predicting that the emergence of new faces could reshape alliances and campaign dynamics ahead of the general election.
