A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Hon. Kingsley Ononuju has launched a blistering attack on individuals allegedly plotting to impose a candidate for the Mbaitoli State House of Assembly seat, declaring that no adoption has taken place and warning against what he described as a dangerous attempt to undermine party leadership.
Ononuju, popularly known as Ekwedashike, made the declaration in a statement issued from his media office amid growing tension and political scheming ahead of the contest for the Mbaitoli State constituency position.
The APC chieftain said reports claiming that a candidate had already been adopted were “false, misleading, unauthorized, and should be completely disregarded,” insisting that no individual or group possesses the authority to impose candidates on the party or the people.
“My attention has been drawn to the ongoing claims, insinuations, and clandestine meetings being orchestrated in certain quarters regarding the alleged ‘adoption’ of a candidate for the Mbaitoli State House of Assembly position,”
“After careful inquiries and consultations, I state categorically and without reservation that no such adoption has taken place.” Ononuju stated
He warned that those parading themselves as “adopted” candidates were engaging in political desperation and attempting to ridicule constituted authority within the APC structure in Imo State.
“Let it be made abundantly clear: nobody has been adopted for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position. No individual, group, or gathering has the authority to proclaim or impose any candidate on the party or the people,” he said.
He further argued that any attempt to announce a preferred candidate without the approval of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, amounted to open disrespect to the governor whom he described as the undisputed leader of the party in the state.
“The Governor is the only person with the political, constitutional, and moral authority to make or communicate such a directive where necessary,” he stated.
He continued “Where the Governor has not spoken, nobody has the right to speak for him. Where the Governor has not directed, nobody has the authority to manufacture directives in his name or create the false impression that a decision has already been reached.”
The APC leader and former Commissioner in Imo State accused unnamed politicians of moving around intimidating stakeholders and harassing party faithful while falsely presenting themselves as endorsed candidates.
“It is therefore unacceptable for anyone to move around intimidating stakeholders, harassing party faithful, or arrogantly presenting himself as an ‘adopted’ candidate,” he declared.
“No one should gather a few individuals in private meetings and suddenly begin to claim ownership of the Mbaitoli State Assembly ticket.”
Mr Ononuju also took aim at political office holders whom he accused of confusing elective office with genuine leadership, saying leadership must be earned through loyalty, sacrifice and commitment to party ideals rather than temporary political power.
“Leadership is not defined merely by title or position. Leadership is earned through loyalty, consistency, maturity, sacrifice, experience, and commitment to the party and its values over time,” he stated.
The APC chieftain alleged that some of those currently claiming authority within the party lacked ideological consistency and frequently fraternised with rival political interests whenever it suited them politically.
“Some attend meetings across different political platforms depending on convenience. Today they claim loyalty here; tomorrow they openly fraternize elsewhere,” he alleged.
He also defended the integrity of the process that produced party officials across councils, insisting that transparency and due process guided every decision reached by the committee.
“As someone who served as Chairman of the Committee for the Local Government Elections, I ensured that due process, fairness, and transparency were upheld throughout the entire process,” he said.
He clarified that a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Mbaitoli was convened strictly to strengthen the newly elected party chairman in the council, Chief Collins Obi, and not to adopt any Assembly candidate as being speculated in some quarters.
“At no point was there any discussion, resolution, or decision regarding the adoption of any candidate for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position,” Mr Ononuju stated.
“Any attempt to twist the outcome of that meeting into a false narrative of endorsement or adoption is dishonest, misleading, and a deliberate misrepresentation of the truth.”
Reaffirming his loyalty to the party leadership, Mr Ononuju insisted that internal democracy, consultation and respect for constituted authority must prevail over intimidation, propaganda and self-imposed endorsements ahead of the contest.
“Let it therefore be clearly understood by all concerned: no candidate has been adopted for the Mbaitoli State Assembly position,” he declared.
“Any person or group making such claims is acting outside party authority, disrespecting the Governor, undermining party leadership, and attempting to deceive the public.”
