The Action Peoples Party has adopted Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi as its consensus candidate for the 2027 Imo East Senatorial election, following a zonal congress held in Owerri on Saturday.
The congress, convened at the party’s state secretariat popularly known as the Iwuanyanwu Glass House, drew delegates, party stakeholders and officials from the nine local government areas that make up Owerri Zone. Party leaders said the exercise ended with a unanimous endorsement of Amadi’s candidacy ahead of the next general election.
In a statement signed by Cajetan Duke, chief press secretary to Mr Amadi, the party said the candidate’s emergence followed a motion moved by Mbaitoli Local Government chairman of the party, Ugochukwu Metford Nnah, and seconded by the APP zonal chairman, Henry Alaribe. Delegates at the congress reportedly endorsed the motion without opposition, signalling broad acceptance of Mr Amadi within the party structure.
The nomination exercise was conducted by a committee led by Barrister Obed Agor and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, including representatives of the electoral body’s Imo office, according to the party.
Also present at the congress were APP National Chairman Uche Nnadi, members of the party’s National Executive Committee, lawmakers affiliated with the party and newly nominated House of Representatives candidates. Party officials described the gathering as evidence of growing cohesion and expansion within the APP in Imo State.
In the statement, the party said Mr Amadi’s emergence reflected confidence in what it described as his “leadership capacity, political maturity and grassroots acceptability.” The APP added that the zone required “effective representation and visionary leadership” at the National Assembly.
Party stakeholders further described the APP candidate as a bridge-builder and grassroots mobiliser with the intellectual depth and political experience needed to represent Owerri Zone effectively in the Senate. They said his emergence followed extensive consultations among party faithful across the zone.
The party also cited Mr Amadi’s popularity among youths, women and professionals, attributing it to his humanitarian interventions, empowerment programmes and community development activities in parts of Imo State.
Addressing delegates after his adoption, Mr Amadi, a scholar and social entrepreneur from Ngor Okpala, described the nomination as both “humbling and challenging.” He said his aspiration to the Senate formed part of a broader effort to “redesign the governance architecture” of Imo State through accountable and service-driven leadership.
The APP candidate also raised concerns over insecurity and killings in the state, accusing authorities of failing to respond adequately to the situation. He told party supporters that “the journey to Imo redemption has begun,” while urging residents of Owerri Zone to support what he called a people-oriented political movement.
