Fresh Faces Emerge As APC Conducts Option A4 House Of Reps Primaries Across Imo State
Four serving members of the House of Representatives failed to secure return tickets during the All Progressives Congress primaries conducted across Imo State on Saturday ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The primaries, which were held across the state’s 10 federal constituencies using the Option A4 voting system, produced a combination of new candidates and returning lawmakers as party members voted to select APC flagbearers for the next election cycle.
The lawmakers who lost their re-election bids include Matthew Nwogu of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Miriam Odinaka Onuoha of Okigwe South, Harrison Anozie Nwadike representing Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency, and Emeka Martins Chinedu of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency.
Following the conclusion of the exercise, the party announced several new candidates who emerged victorious across different constituencies.
Among those who secured the APC tickets are Ngozi Pat-Ekeji for Aboh/Ngor-Okpala, Chukwudi Anyanwuocha for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte, Sandra Inyama for Ideato North/South, Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East, Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South and Uchenna Agasu for Okigwe North.
Others include Dibiagwu Eugene for Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru-West, Cosmos Maduba for Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba, Akarachi Amadi for Mbaike Federal Constituency and Tochi Okere for Owerri Federal Constituency.
Ahead of the primaries, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma had assured party stakeholders that the process would respect the state’s existing zoning arrangements and charter of equity.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Owerri, the governor insisted that the APC would not impose candidates on party members.
According to him, although every eligible party member had the constitutional right to contest elections, the party also had a responsibility to preserve internal political agreements that have helped maintain peace and stability within the APC in Imo State.
Uzodinma explained that the Option A4 voting system was adopted to ensure transparency, fairness and broader participation of party members during the primaries.
The governor stated that the method would allow party members to openly participate in the emergence of candidates while strengthening the credibility of the process.
He also revealed that nine aspirants purchased forms for the senatorial primaries, while over 100 aspirants obtained forms for the House of Assembly contests across the state.
Uzodinma further disclosed that women and youths would receive priority consideration during the primaries as part of efforts to encourage inclusive governance and broader political participation.
However, he clarified that such considerations would not disadvantage male aspirants participating in the process.
The governor also urged all aspirants and party members to embrace sportsmanship and remain united after the primaries, stressing that every election naturally produces both winners and losers.
