Three former aspirants in the just-concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary for Imo North Senatorial District have said their decision to step down for the incumbent senator, Patrick Ndubueze, was voluntary.
The former aspirants, Longers Anyanwu, Gloria Akobundu and Kennedy Ike Odoeme, said they withdrew from the race shortly before the commencement of the primary in line with the zoning arrangement in the senatorial district.
The trio, who were considered strong contenders in the contest, also urged their supporters to vote for Ndubueze during the exercise.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that they spoke during a press briefing in Owerri, the Imo State capital, where the former aspirants said their decision to back Ndubueze was not forced but taken after considering the zoning arrangement agreed upon by elders and leaders of Imo North.
According to them, the arrangement favoured Ndubueze, who currently represents the district in the Senate.
They said, “We came to that decision in recognition of the existing zoning arrangement by elders and leaders of the senatorial district, which favours Senator Patrick Ndubueze.”
The aspirants said their withdrawal helped to ensure a peaceful and orderly primary in the district.
Anyanwu, Akobundu and Odoeme maintained that Ndubueze won the APC senatorial ticket for Imo North.
They urged members of the public to disregard reports suggesting that another candidate emerged from the exercise.
According to them, the results of the primary were properly collated and announced by the designated returning officer appointed by the APC National Working Committee.
They said party members in the senatorial district participated freely in the election without intimidation, disruption or violence.
The former aspirants described the APC primaries in Imo State, particularly in Imo North, as peaceful and orderly.
They said, “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.”
They commended party members and supporters for their conduct during the process.
The trio said the peaceful conduct of the primary showed that the APC in Imo North remained united and capable of resolving internal issues without crisis.
The former aspirants also praised party members who participated in the exercise, saying they acted with discipline and maturity.
They acknowledged the role played by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in coordinating the presidential primary collation process across the state.
They said the orderly conduct of members before, during and after the primary helped to strengthen the credibility of the exercise.
The aspirants further appealed to the public and APC members to ignore claims challenging Ndubueze’s emergence.
They insisted that APC members voted overwhelmingly for the senator after they stepped down and directed their supporters to support him.
According to them, the May 18, 2026, senatorial primary was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines, and the result declared by the appropriate officials should be respected.
They added that the focus of party members should now be on unity and preparation for the 2027 general election.