Growing discontent surrounds the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Imo State, with claims of candidate imposition sparking protests in various council areas ahead of the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 21, 2024.
Reports from Owerri indicate that several communities are opposing the alleged forced selection of chairmanship and councillorship candidates. In particular, the Oguta Council Area has become a focal point of dissatisfaction due to what locals describe as a violation of the long-established zoning system.
Members of the Oguta Unity Forum, led by spokesperson Chief Kenneth Obi, have voiced their displeasure, arguing that the current chairmanship candidate selection process undermines the traditional zoning arrangement. According to Obi, the nomination of Ifeanyi Nnani from Oguta North, who currently holds political office alongside the House of Assembly representative from the same region, threatens the balance of power within the local government area (LGA).
“This arrangement has left the Oguta South region feeling marginalized,” Obi explained. “We are urging the leadership of the APC in Imo State to honor the zoning system in Oguta to maintain peace and ensure fairness in the local elections.”
The zoning system, which has historically rotated key political positions between the North and South of Oguta, ensures equal representation. Oguta South stakeholders, particularly from Agwa, claim their region, which significantly contributes to the state’s economy through its petroleum resources, deserves the chairmanship position.
Party members and community leaders have called on Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to uphold his earlier commitment to the zoning policy, warning that any deviation could lead to unrest. The zoning arrangement is seen as essential for preserving peace and political stability within the LGA.
“The Agwa people have long been vital contributors to the state’s economic growth, hosting two major oil companies. Denying them the chairmanship could spark tensions,” Obi added.
Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the APC has dismissed circulating lists of alleged candidates, labeling them as unofficial. In a statement released by the party’s chairman, MacDonald Ebere, through his media adviser Julian Chijioke, the party urged the public to disregard any unverified information about the primaries.
“We ask the public to only trust information issued directly from official APC channels,” the statement read. “The list being shared online is false and unauthorized.”
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