A chieftain of the Action Peoples Party, APP, in Imo State, Chief Ugochukwu Ndudiri, has condemned the emergence of Sir Alex Mbata as the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for the 2027 Owerri Zone Senatorial Election, describing the development as unjust, politically insensitive, and a clear violation of equity, fairness, and balanced representation in the zone.
Ndudiri, who hails from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, faulted the decision of the APC leadership to allow another candidate from Owerri North LGA to pick the Senate ticket immediately after the tenure of the incumbent lawmaker representing Owerri Zone, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, who is currently completing two consecutive terms in office.
According to him, the decision amounts to political marginalisation of other local government areas within Owerri Zone, insisting that allowing another indigene of Owerri North LGA to occupy the senatorial seat immediately after Senator Onyewuchi’s eight years undermines the principles of political balance and equal opportunity which the people of the zone have continued to advocate for over the years.
The APP stalwart further recalled that respected leaders such as Senator Eze Ajoku served only one tenure, while many qualified and competent political figures from other parts of Owerri Zone are yet to be given the opportunity to represent the zone at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly.
Describing the APC arrangement as “a political joke taken too far”, Ndudiri alleged that the ruling party sacrificed justice, fairness and inclusiveness for selfish interests and personal political calculations.
He warned that such a development could generate anger, resentment and dissatisfaction among party faithful and the electorate across Owerri Zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APP chieftain maintained that Owerri Zone is made up of several local government areas blessed with capable and credible individuals who deserve equal consideration in the distribution of political offices, stressing that concentrating the senatorial position within one local government area weakens unity, destroys mutual trust, and contradicts democratic principles.
Ndudiri also stated that contrary to repeated claims by the APC, there is nothing like a genuine Charter of Equity within the party in Imo State, alleging that the APC has consistently manipulated the concept to favour selected political interests.
He, however, commended the Action Peoples Party, APP, for standing firmly against what he described as injustice, inequality, and political oppression in the state.
According to him, the APP has already resolved to enthrone a real and practical Charter of Equity ahead of the 2027 elections, where fairness, inclusiveness, and equal political opportunities would be guaranteed for all sections of Imo State.
The APP chieftain therefore called on political stakeholders, traditional leaders, party faithful, youths, and well meaning citizens of Owerri Zone to reject every form of political injustice by the APC, while urging the people to support parties and leaders committed to transparency, fairness and true democratic representation.