The Action Peoples Party, APP, has elected state officers to pilot the affairs of the party ahead of the 2028 Imo State off-cycle gubernatorial election.
The state congress was conducted through consensus in the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which took place at the party’s secretariat, MCC Uratta Road in Owerri on Sunday.
The activities commenced with the ward congress on 22nd April, followed by the local government and zonal election of officers on 24th April, and climaxed with the election of members of the State Working Committee.
The congress had in attendance party chieftains, leaders, stakeholders, ward-elected executives, as well as local government delegates across the three senatorial zones of the state, adding glamour and colour to the consolidation of the party’s democratic evolution and deepening of APP’s internal mechanism.
Ernest Njesi, former interim caretaker committee chairman, was overwhelmingly re-elected and returned as the party’s helmsman. Other members of the SWC elected alongside the chairman were Barr. Ogemdi Ezemonye, Engr. Henry Alaribe, and Hon. Ernest Ezirim, who were elected as deputy chairmen of Orlu, Owerri, and Okigwe zones respectively, while Engr. Emeka Onwukwe and Hon. Chief Uju Ugochukwu emerged as the substantive state secretary of the party and deputy state secretary.
Others elected at the congress were Barr. Dr. Uche Nwosu, state legal adviser, while Barr. Casmir Anyanwu was returned as deputy state legal adviser. The positions of state financial secretary and deputy went to Chief Sylvester Durukwuaku and Hon. Eddy Nwosu. Amb. Steve Nnadi emerged as the state publicity secretary, to be deputised by Hon. Wisdom Echefu.
The state youth leader of the party went to Comrade Isidore Chukwuemeka, with Hon. Chinonye Ezuruike serving as deputy.
Mrs. Stella Nneka Chukwu and Mrs. May Obiyo were elected as woman leader and deputy respectively.
The former House of Assembly member of Ihitte Uboma State Constituency, Hon. Michael Onyemachi, got the position of organising secretary of the party, to be deputised by Hon. JohnPaul Onuoha, while the state treasurer went to Hon. Peter Etoh. The auditor of the party duly elected and sworn in was Dr. Brent Akomas.
To hit the ground running after taking oath of office, the state chairman, Hon. Ernest Njesi, in his acceptance speech after the election, charged party members to redouble their efforts to move the party forward, while calling on all party faithful to remain committed and steadfast to the ideals of the party in order to make it a viable winning machine and the number one party in the state.
Speaking at the event, the congress committee led by Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu commended members for the hitch-free exercise, ensuring transparency and a credible process, which was witnessed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission led by the Electoral Party Monitoring (EPM), Dr. Nneka Iluogu, as well as security agencies who maintained order and decorum throughout the peaceful proceedings.
Admonishing the State Working Committee members elected at the congress and other officers of the party, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, charged them to embark on aggressive grassroots sensitisation and mobilization of the electorate across board.
He noted that APP has remained the number one opposition party in the state with two performing House of Representatives members.
The caucus leader called on all party faithful to brace up and sustain unity, cohesion, and strategic engagement with the people, which will aid electoral victory at the forthcoming polls.
In the same vein, Hon. Chief Henry Onwukwe (Apiti Uzo-Ubi), a prominent leader and the Director-General of The Mazi Organization (TMO), reaffirmed and reiterated the unwavering commitment of APP leader Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi, for his guidance and exceptional leadership that is building the party into a formidable electoral vehicle.