The Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Austin Onyedebelu,has said that the Orlu Senatorial Zone is fully prepared to support the transfer of the governorship to Owerri Senatorial Zone at the appropriate time, provided that Owerri demonstrates its commitment by delivering victory for the party in future elections.
Onyedebelu said this when the Imo State chapter of th APC on Thursday concluded its statewide interactive meetings with party stakeholders, ending the exercise with a meeting involving officials from Orlu Zone.
The interactive session brought together members of the State Working Committee and State Executive Committee with the 12 Local Government Area party chairmen, ward chairmen from the 136 wards, council chairmen, councillors and other grassroots party leaders from the zone.
In his opening remarks, the State Secretary of the party, Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim, said the meeting was convened to enable the state leadership interact directly with grassroots officials, who remain the foundation of the party’s electoral success.
“The purpose of this meeting is to interact with our grassroots officials to understand what could make the party either win or lose elections because you are the party representatives at the grassroots,” he said.
Addressing the gathering, the Imo APC State Chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, said, “We are ready to pass the governorship baton to Owerri Zone if they are ready by demonstrating their preparedness, beginning with the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Chief Onyedebelu also disclosed that Governor Hope Uzodimma had approved Hummer buses for all Local Government Area party chairmen, while arrangements were underway to provide mobility support for ward chairmen.
He further announced that the Governor had approved the construction of a modern APC State Secretariat.
“I want to announce to you that His Excellency, the Governor, has approved the construction of a brand new state secretariat that will be befitting of a ruling party,” he stated.
Explaining the purpose of the engagement, the state chairman urged party officials to openly identify any challenges that could hinder the party’s electoral success.
“If there is anything that could prevent us from winning elections, let us know now,” he said.
On the party’s candidates, Chief Onyedebelu dismissed rumours of substitutions, insisting that all nominated candidates had already been uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
“We have uploaded all our candidates to the INEC portal, so there is no issue of substitution. Our focus now is to win the elections. We have every reason to be confident because of the outstanding performance of the Governor. We have enough achievements to campaign with and secure victory,” he said.
He also directed all ward chairmen to constitute 27 booth executives within two weeks.
“You must set up the 27 booth executives within two weeks. Those selected should not be members of your family but capable individuals who are registered voters and possess valid Permanent Voter Cards,” he instructed.
Responding on behalf of Orlu Zone, the Zonal Chairman, Hon. Frank Onyejiaka, said the essence of the meeting was to obtain firsthand information about developments at the local government and ward levels.
He assured the state leadership that Orlu Zone would once again deliver overwhelming support for the APC.
“We must win this election because the Governor is our son and currently occupies a strategic leadership position in the APC. Orlu Zone is ready, and we must come first. We will deliver this party at all costs because the Governor is our son,” Onyejiaka declared.
The interactive meeting was attended by members of the Imo APC State Executive Committee and State Working Committee, the 12 Local Government Council Chairmen from Orlu Zone, the 12 Local Government Area APC Chairmen, the 163 Ward APC Chairmen and the 163 Councillors across the zone.
The meeting marked the conclusion of the Imo APC’s statewide interactive engagement with party officials across the three geopolitical zones of Imo State as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots structures, deepen internal cohesion and position the party for victory in the forthcoming elections.
