Fresh political tension is building within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State as the Ohaji Patriotic Forum (OPF) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma and the party’s national leadership to intervene in the ongoing debate surrounding the House of Representatives ticket for the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency.
The socio-political group warned that recent developments within the constituency could disrupt the long-standing zoning and rotational arrangement that has helped maintain political balance among the constituent areas.
The appeal was contained in an open letter jointly signed by the National Chairman of OPF, Mazi Bethel Nwanorim, and the National Secretary, Chief Christopher Ezeocha. The letter was made available to journalists in Owerri.
According to the Forum, the rotational understanding among communities in the federal constituency has played a major role in promoting inclusion, unity and political stability over the years. The group urged APC leaders to preserve the arrangement in the interest of fairness and peaceful coexistence.
“We write on behalf of members and leadership of the Ohaji Patriotic Forum, a socio-political organization committed to justice, equity, fairness, unity and peaceful coexistence within the Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency,” the statement read.
The Forum disclosed that after extensive consultations, its members resolved to formally seek the intervention of President Tinubu, Governor Uzodimma, the Imo APC leadership and the party’s national leadership to ensure that every bloc within the constituency receives fair consideration during the selection process.
OPF also highlighted the political loyalty of the Ohaji people to the APC and Governor Uzodimma, noting that the area has consistently supported the governor from his days in the Senate to his current administration in Imo State.
“The people of Ohaji have consistently supported the political journey and leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma from his emergence as Senator to his current position as Governor,” the group stated.
The Forum further referenced earlier agreements among political stakeholders regarding rotational representation within the constituency, stressing that sustaining the arrangement would strengthen unity, cooperation and political harmony ahead of future elections.
While commending Governor Uzodimma for ongoing infrastructural projects across the state, the group appealed to party leaders to prioritise fairness and internal stability. OPF also urged residents of the constituency to remain peaceful and pursue their grievances through lawful and democratic channels.
