The Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has directed its National and State Assembly candidates to embark on extensive consultations with party stakeholders and reconcile with former aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The directive was issued during a consultative meeting between the State Working Committee and the party’s National and State Assembly flag-bearers held at the party secretariat along Okigwe Road in Owerri. The meeting was presided over by the state chairman, Chief Austin Onyedebelu.
According to the party, candidates must engage former aspirants who participated in the primaries and ensure that all interests within their constituencies are accommodated as preparations for the election gather momentum.
Mr Onyedebelu told the candidates that they serve as “the faces of the party” in their various constituencies and must avoid actions capable of alienating loyal members and leaders of the APC.
He warned against exclusion in the formation of campaign structures, insisting that every genuine party member should be carried along. “Candidates must not segregate against any true party member and leaders in setting up their campaign structures,” he said.
The party leadership also declared that its structures from the state level down to the wards remain intact and united behind candidates who emerged from the party primaries.
The APC said all organs of the party have remained “unshaken” despite political realignments in parts of the state, adding that stakeholders should sustain the peace, discipline and harmony currently prevailing within the party.
While acknowledging that the Independent National Electoral Commission has not officially opened campaigns, the party encouraged its candidates to continue consultations and broaden their support base across political divides.
“The party recognises and abides by the INEC timetable, but our standard bearers have been encouraged to continue reaching out to stakeholders and build bipartisan support to ensure victory for the party at all levels,” the statement signed by State Publicity Secretary, Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, said on Friday.
The APC further thanked its members and stakeholders for what it described as their loyalty and support, assuring them that their contributions would be recognised after the party’s anticipated victory at the polls.
