Governor Hope Uzodimma has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Imo West Senatorial District (Orlu zone) held Monday ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary Special Adviser Media to the Governor, said that Uzodimma floored the former Governor and one time Senator representing the Zone at the Senate, Sen. Rochas Okorocha during a Direct Primary election generally termed peaceful, free and fair.
Announcing the results, Chairman of the APC National Assembly Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Rear Admiral Williams Kayode (rtd), he said, declared that Uzodimma polled a total of 230,464 valid votes across the 12 Local Government Areas of the Zone.
Former Governor Rochas Okorocha, according to the statement, secured 1,098 votes, according to Admiral Kayode.
According to the collated results, Uzodimma recorded overwhelming victories in all councils, including Oru East where he scored 46,973 votes, Orlu West with 32,333 votes, and Oguta with 13,254 votes.
Kayode said: “Uzodimma, having satisfied all the requirements of the Party Constitution, guidelines and relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and having scored the highest number of valid votes, is hereby declared the winner of the APC Imo West Senatorial District Primary.”
The primary election was conducted peacefully amid tight security, with Party faithful applauding the outcome and describing it as a reflection of grassroots support for the Governor across Orlu Zone.
Reacting, Gov. Uzodimma, according to another statement by Nwachuku described the primaries as transparent, peaceful and a reflection of the Party’s growing grassroots strength ahead of the 2027 general elections next year.
Fielding questions from newsmen after casting his ballot alongside his wife, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, at the Omuma Ward (Central School, Omuma) during the APC primary to represent his zone at the Senate from next year, Uzodimma expressed satisfaction with the turnout and conduct of Party members.
His words: “The excitement and jubilation among our people show that APC has come to stay in Imo State.”
He added that the direct primary system adopted by the Party remained, “the freest and fairest” in the area in recent times.
The Governor noted that although efforts were made by some aspirants to reach a consensus arrangement, “the APC insisted on direct primaries to ensure transparency and to reflect the true will of members.”
He thanked the APC members in the State for turning out in good numbers to elect the candidates of their choice during the senatorial primaries, and for conducting themselves in ways that point to unity of purpose for a better Imo of their collective dream.
On the 2027 elections, Uzodimma said the large turnout witnessed during the exercise was a strong indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who will fly the APC flag would record resounding victory nationwide.
“There is no political Party in Nigeria as organised and loyal as APC,” the Governor insisted, expressing confidence that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure re-election convincingly.”
However, Uzodimma expressed optimism that any grievances arising from the primaries would be handled through the Party’s internal dispute-resolution mechanism.
