Imo APC ex-senatorial aspirants clarify withdrawal, deny inducement claims

Aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Imo North senatorial district have clarified that their decision to step down for the party’s incumbent candidate, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, was voluntary, dismissing reports suggesting they were induced or forced.

Speaking to journalists on Monday in Owerri, Longers Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of three other aspirants, said the clarification became necessary to correct what he described as “misrepresentations and falsehoods” circulating on social media about the outcome of the APC senatorial primary in the zone.

“There’s need to make some clarifications in order to obviate the misrepresentations and falsehoods being peddled by some sections of the social media on the results of the APC, Imo North senatorial primaries,” he said.

He said the APC direct primary election (Option A4) was conducted peacefully across Imo North and other parts of the country, producing candidates at various levels without rancour.

“The All Progressives Congress APC direct primary elections (option A4) was concluded in Imo North (Okigwe zone), Imo State and Nigeria as a whole with candidates emerging at all levels without bickering or rancour, especially in Imo North senatorial district,” Anyanwu said.

He added that party members turned out in large numbers to vote freely for their preferred aspirants without intimidation, noting that the exercise also featured strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ticket reaffirmation.

“The exercise in Imo State and especially in Imo North was hitch-free and devoid of the wrangling previously associated with party primaries of this magnitude,” he said.

Anyanwu further commended the conduct of party officials, aspirants, and supporters, describing the process as orderly and widely accepted.

“We acknowledge and commend the significant role of the ‘Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ who, from ward, local and state levels coordinated the collation of the Presidential Primaries today in Imo State,” he said.

He confirmed that he and two other frontline aspirants—Princess Gloria Akobundu and Mr Kennedy Ike Odoeme—stepped down for Senator Ndubueze in line with a zoning arrangement within the senatorial district.

“The three of us, strong aspirants, namely: Chief Longers Anyanwu, Princess Gloria Akobundu and Mr. Kennedy Ike Odoeme, frontrunners in the race for the Imo North Senatorial primary election, stepped down for the serving Senator, Engr. Patrick Ndubueze and instructed our supporters to vote for him,” he said.

He explained that the decision was taken in adherence to the zoning arrangement by elders and leaders of the district, which favours Ndubueze’s clan.

“We came to that decision not only in obedience to the existing zoning arrangement by the Elders and Leaders of the Senatorial District, which favours Senator Ndubueze of Otanchara/Otanzu clan,” he added.

According to him, the move was aimed at strengthening party unity and improving the APC’s chances in the general election.

“In our view, this overwhelming approval for his return for a second time before rotating to another district will sway the general electorate to the side of our great party in the forthcoming election and that of Mr President,” he said.

He dismissed reports suggesting a parallel candidate, insisting that the primary was duly conducted, results collated, and announced by the returning officer appointed by the APC National Working Committee.

“The primary election in the district was conducted, results collated and announced as appropriate by the returning officer duly assigned so to do by the APC National Working Committee, and we are certain that the committee has submitted the results to the appropriate authorities,” he said.

Anyanwu added that all stakeholders in the zone remain committed to ensuring victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections, including the re-election bid of Senator Ndubueze.