Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has addressed claims circulating on social media and in some news reports regarding the party's candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District. Arodiogbu, in a statement signed by him and circulated to the media, said the matter is currently before the courts and therefore sub judice. He clarified that persistent inquiries from party members, stakeholders, and the public necessitated the clarification.
Arodiogbu described a group allegedly operating under the name "Progressive Lawyers Forum" as unknown to the APC leadership, structures, and membership. He urged party members and the general public to disregard what he characterized as fabricated narratives emanating from the group. According to Arodiogbu, the group's alleged reliance on documents purportedly from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in support of former Governor Rochas Okorocha's claim to the APC ticket was unfounded.
The APC Imo West Senatorial District Congress Committee, chaired by Rear Admiral Williams Kayode (rtd), conducted the primary election in accordance with the APC Constitution, party guidelines, and applicable laws. The primary was conducted through the Option A4 method, involving direct voting by open queue across the local government areas within the senatorial district. At the conclusion of the exercise, Senator Hope Uzodimma was declared the winner by the Congress Committee.
Arodiogbu stated that the Appeal Committee constituted by the APC National Working Committee subsequently reviewed the primary election, including its results and representations, and upheld the outcome. The party thereafter submitted Uzodimma's name to INEC as the duly elected and nominated APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. Arodiogbu was specifically appointed by the National Working Committee to head the NWC monitoring team for the primary election in the South East.
Arodiogbu's team observed the primary election and reported to the NWC, with findings consistent with the Congress Committee's declaration. He alleged that former Governor Rochas Okorocha was in Abuja on the day of the primary and did not participate in the exercise in his ward or any other stage of the primary. Arodiogbu expressed surprise at claims concerning an allegedly forged Certified True Copy or an alternative result purportedly obtained from INEC.
Arodiogbu emphasized that the only authentic and valid result of the primary election is the one submitted by the party to INEC, affirmed by the Congress Committee, upheld by the Appeal Committee, and endorsed by the National Working Committee. He maintained that any document purporting to show a different outcome should be subjected to appropriate legal scrutiny. On the pending litigation, Arodiogbu said the legal process should be allowed to run its full course, adding that he had confidence in the judiciary.
Arodiogbu reaffirmed that the APC is governed by its constitution, internal democracy, and due process, insisting that the party's nomination process followed the prescribed procedures. He called on APC leaders, stakeholders, supporters, and members across Imo State and the South East to remain calm and united while the matter is being resolved through the appropriate legal channels. The party leadership would continue to defend the integrity of its processes, uphold the supremacy of its constitution, and protect the collective interests of the party.
Key points
- - Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu affirms Senator Hope Uzodimma as the APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District. - Arodiogbu dismisses claims by a group called "Progressive Lawyers Forum" as unfounded and fabricated. - The APC nomination process for the Imo West Senatorial District followed the party's constitution and guidelines.
