The State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo, Hon. Chief John Iwuala, has called on party members to “close ranks and rebuild the party to its former glory,” warning that division would only weaken APGA’s chances in future elections.
Iwuala made the appeal on August 9, 2025, during the party’s first-ever joint meeting of women and youth leaders in the state, describing the gathering as a “historic moment” for APGA.
At the meeting, the chairman also announced that he was temporarily handing over the reins of the party to his deputy, Barr. Uche Nwosu, citing ill health.
He assured members that Nwosu would act strictly under his directives until his full recovery.
Barr. Nwosu, in his acceptance remarks, vowed to protect the chairman’s vision and warned against factionalism.
“I will never go contrary to the chairman’s directives. Our task is to rebuild APGA to what it used to be,” he said.
The meeting, convened by State Youth Leader Hon. Soribe Kelechi and State Women Leader Hon. Mrs. Nkasi Tessy Obi, drew LGA youth and women leaders from across the state, despite weeks of heavy rainfall and persistent insecurity.
Organising Secretary Engr. Iheanyi Udensi was also in attendance.
Both conveners applauded the courage of the grassroots leaders who travelled through difficult terrain to attend, describing their commitment as “proof that APGA’s spirit is still alive at the grassroots level.”
Reports from the LGAs exposed both progress and deep-seated frustrations.
Youth leaders from Owerri North, Ohaji/Egbema, and Ikeduru LGAs spoke differently, lamenting their various challenges and calling for the prompt intervention of the state leadership. Some complained bitterly that APGA in Anambra State, which has a serving governor, abandoned the Imo State chapter of the party.
Several speakers complained that the party’s national structure often sidelines Imo in the allocation of resources and campaign support, leaving local leaders to finance mobilisation from their own pockets.
Women leaders also spoke with candour. Isiala Mbano’s representative praised her LGA chairman for upholding APGA’s motto, Onye Aghala Nwanneya, a sentiment echoed by Owerri Municipal, Nwangele, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Mbaitoli, and Aboh Mbaise.
But Ngor Okpala’s Mrs. Oluchi Stella pressed for a seat in the State Working Committee to “strengthen and complement” her LGA’s efforts, while Nkwere’s women leader warned that “money politics” was eroding the party’s values, replacing character with cash.
Delegates from rural LGAs stressed that insecurity, poor road networks, and lack of state-level coordination have made mobilisation increasingly difficult, particularly in areas bordering Rivers and Abia states.
The gathering also observed a minute’s silence for the late mother of State Secretary Pst. Alphonsus Eberendu, who recently passed away.
Closing the meeting, Engr. Udensi urged members to “leave the past behind” and work together, while participants thanked God for the recovery of Chairman Iwuala, whose call for unity framed the day’s historic discussions.
The resolutions adopted included a demand for more direct engagement from APGA’s national leadership, renewed mobilisation at ward level, and a review of financial support to struggling LGAs ahead of the 2027 elections.
