Imo State All Progressives Congress (APC) delivered a shocking tension across the nation as a political tsunami swept across the state on Saturday night after several high-profile politicians and political hopefuls failed to secure tickets in the APC House of Representatives primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Our correspondent reports that among the biggest casualties were Chief Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, whose move to stop Canice Moore Nwachukwu failed. Others include two serving federal lawmakers,
Chike Okafor and Miriam Onuoha,
DrumAfricanews gathered that Chief Priest lost because, because of zoning formula which is followed religiously in Orsu-Orlu-Oru East Federal Constituency where he hails from.
Recall that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma on Thursday warned that all those from a federal constituency where zoning is followed religiously should better respect themselves and stick to the agreement.
“He’s from Orsu and by the zoning arrangement, it’s still the turn of Orlu in Federal House of Representatives. The man that handed over to Canice Moore Nwachukwu, Jerry Alagboso hails from his place.
“That’s to say that, Orsu has done 12 years, Orlu has done only four years. So the Nwachukwu popularly known as Omeogo is from Orlu and will be completing his 8 years in 2032 and then it power will move to Oru East.
“Governor Hope Uzodinma told all aspirants that where zoning is effective in Imo state, they should respect that, but they thought he was joking,” a political analyst said.
For political observers, the defeat of established names points to a strong shift from money politics to mutual agreements. Analysts say the results underline the enduring influence of grassroots political networks and local alliances.
The loss of Chike Okafor, a prominent figure in Imo politics and a ranking member of the House of Representatives, came as a surprise to many party supporters who expected incumbency to work in his favour. Equally shocking was the defeat of Miriam Onuoha, one of the most visible female lawmakers from the state.
Despite the heavy defeats suffered by some political heavyweights, several new and familiar faces emerged victorious across the federal constituencies.
Those who secured APC tickets include:
Ngozi Pat-Ekeji — Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala
Chukwudi Anyanwuocha — Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte
Sandra Inyama — Ideato Federal Constituency
Canice Moore Nwachukwu — Orlu/Orsu/Oru East
Jonas Okeke — Okigwe South
Uchenna Agasu — Okigwe North
Eugene Dibiagwu — Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru West
Cosmos Maduba —Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba
Akarachi Amadi — Mbaitoli/Ikeduru (Mbaike)
Tochi Okere — Owerri Federal Constituency.
The emergence of fresh contenders in some constituencies is already fueling conversations about a possible power shift ahead of the next election cycle.
With the APC primaries producing unexpected winners and painful losses, attention is now turning to how aggrieved aspirants and their supporters will respond in the coming weeks.
