Council Election: APC Leaders In Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward Reject Imposition Of Candidate

…Want Equity, Rotation Agreement To Stand

By Ikenna Orioha

As Imo State goes to Local Government Elections on September 21st 2024, Leaders of APC in Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA, have totally rejected imposition of candidate, insisting that Equity, Fairness and Rotation Agreement should firmly stand to avoid political crisis that may engulf the party at the Ward.

The APC Leaders said the party is doing well in Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward because it is united and active with members cooperating cordially to achieve common goal for the people and the party, but wondered why Equity and Zoning System which they said the Governor and the APC leadership preach in the state did not prevail in the selection of a Consensus Candidate of the party in Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward.

Speaking through Mr. Chima Ugwulebo during a leadership meeting held at his house in Obodo Ujuchi on Saturday, they unanimously and vehemently rejected the imposed candidate as it is not the turn of the area to go to the Ahiazu Mbaise Legislative Council.

“The entire APC leaders in Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward reject imposition of candidate against the people’s will. The Governor’s directive for Consensus and Attention to Zoning System in the selection of the party’s candidates in the Wards and LGAs is to foster Unity and Equity in order to boost the strength of the party should be fully upheld.

Ugwulebo hinted that “in a landmark decision, our leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to fairness and equity by declaring Obodo Ujuchi turn to produce the next Councillor. This bold move demonstrates their dedication to the collective progress of Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward and sets a new standard for inclusive leadership.

“While other communities boast an array of distinguished leaders, Obodo Ujuchi has been awaiting its turn. Let us not forget in a hurry that it is only Obodo Ujuchi that has been at the dark in the leadership of Amuzi/ Ihenweorie Ward. For instance, Ogwuama community has Hon. Oguwuike Nwachukwu (Chief Press Secretary to the Governor) and Rt. Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe (former state House Member, two term federal House Member and the current SA to the Speaker of House of Reps).

“Akabor has Gen. Peter Gbujie, Engr. Bede Opara, Eng. Daberechi Ogbe, Obodo Ahiara has Engr. Chidi Ibeh, Comr. Ifeanyichukwu Nnodim (Party Ward Chairman) and Sir Enyiribe Enyi (Ward Apex Leader), Amuzi has Hon. Sam Nkem Otibe (current House Member, representing Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency) and Hon. Uche Agomuo, among others, while Obodo Ujuchi has no one to mention as a leader in the Ward. Why Are We Invisible? These communities except Obodo Ujuchi had occupied ministerial positions and other top portfolios”.

“With Arc Bath Igbokwe as Councillor Amuzi/ Ihenweorie Ward will advance in terms of social and economic development and Obodo Ujuchi will be involved in the party leadership of Amuzi/Ihenweorie Ward”, Ugwulebo added.

He reiterated that “the people of Amuzi/ Ihenweorie Ward have a choice in the person of Arc Bathelomew Igbokwe, a frontline runner, who is a grassroot mobilizer and party financier till date. We call for Justice and Equity in this regard because the Zoning System favours Obodo Ujuchi autonomous community and the people have in consensus agreed and presented only one of their sons, Arc Bathelomew Igbokwe, to run for the office as he will deliver in line with the party’s ideologies”.

Amuzi Ihenweorie Ward in Ahiazu Mbaise LGA

Stressing that “in Amuzi Ihenweorie Ward it is only Obodo Ujuchi that has nobody in this APC administration hence the need for Arc. Barth Igbokwe who is from Obodo Ujuchi who has worked for the party to be the Consensus Candidate of APC in the Ward to maintain the long political equity and zoning arrangement”, the Leaders urge Governor Hope Uzodimma and the state leadership of APC to ensure that Equity, Fairness, Rotation and Zoning System stand absolutely in Amuzi/ Ihenweorie Ward by shortlisting the name of Arc Bath Igbokwe as Councillorship Candidate.