A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirants in Imo North have clarified that their decision to withdraw from the race in favour of the party’s incumbent candidate, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, was voluntary, dismissing claims that they were induced or pressured.
Addressing journalists in Owerri, Longers Anyanwu, who spoke on behalf of three other aspirants, said the clarification was necessary to correct what he described as misleading reports circulating on social media about the outcome of the senatorial primary.
“There’s need to make some clarifications in order to obviate the misrepresentations and falsehoods being peddled by some sections of the social media on the results of the APC, Imo North senatorial primaries,” he said.
He explained that the APC direct primary election (Option A4) was conducted peacefully across the senatorial district and other parts of the country, producing candidates without controversy.
“The All Progressives Congress APC direct primary elections (option A4) was concluded in Imo North (Okigwe zone), Imo State and Nigeria as a whole with candidates emerging at all levels without bickering or rancour, especially in Imo North senatorial district,” Anyanwu said.
According to him, voters participated freely in the exercise without intimidation, adding that it also reflected strong support for the party’s broader electoral agenda.
“The exercise in Imo State and especially in Imo North was hitch-free and devoid of the wrangling previously associated with party primaries of this magnitude,” he said.
He further praised the conduct of party officials and stakeholders involved in the process, describing it as orderly and widely accepted.
“We acknowledge and commend the significant role of the ‘Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ who, from ward, local and state levels coordinated the collation of the Presidential Primaries today in Imo State,” he said.
Anyanwu confirmed that he, alongside Princess Gloria Akobundu and Mr Kennedy Ike Odoeme, stepped down for Senator Ndubueze in line with a zoning arrangement within the district.
“The three of us, strong aspirants, namely: Chief Longers Anyanwu, Princess Gloria Akobundu and Mr. Kennedy Ike Odoeme, frontrunners in the race for the Imo North Senatorial primary election, stepped down for the serving Senator, Engr. Patrick Ndubueze and instructed our supporters to vote for him,” he said.
He noted that the decision was taken to respect the zoning arrangement agreed upon by elders and leaders of the senatorial district.
“We came to that decision not only in obedience to the existing zoning arrangement by the Elders and Leaders of the Senatorial District, which favours Senator Ndubueze of Otanchara/Otanzu clan,” he added.
He added that the move was aimed at promoting unity within the party and strengthening its chances in the forthcoming elections.
He also dismissed suggestions that there were parallel arrangements or disputes over the primary outcome, insisting that the process was duly conducted and results properly announced by the returning officer appointed by the party.
According to him, all stakeholders in the district remain committed to working for the success of the APC in the upcoming polls.