OWERRI — A frontline aspirant for the Ahiazu-Mbaise constituency seat in the Imo State House of Assembly, Ezechukwu Obinna, has openly revolted against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following his loss in the party’s primary elections.
The aggrieved politician accused the party leadership of structural extortion through exorbitant nomination and expression of interest forms, vowing never to accept the outcome of the exercise.
Outrage Over Nominations
Speaking to journalists in Owerri following the announcement of the results, an angry Obinna detailed the heavy financial toll of his campaign. He revealed that he invested over ₦100 million into securing the party’s ticket, only to be sidelined by party stakeholders.
“I spent over ₦100 million on this process, yet the party extorted us through form sales only to hand the ticket to an imposed candidate,” Obinna stated. “I will not accept this injustice.”
The aspirant alleged that the primary election process was completely compromised to favor a handpicked individual, rendering the financial commitments and grassroots mobilization of other contenders useless.
Growing Discontent in Imo APC
The development adds to the mounting tension within the Imo State chapter of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. Insiders report that several aspirants across various constituencies feel shortchanged by the party’s consensus arrangements and internal selection mechanisms.
Obinna’s open defiance signals a looming crisis for the party’s unity in the Ahiazu-Mbaise local government area. He demanded a total review of the process, warning that imposing unpopular candidates on the electorate would lead to a catastrophic defeat for the APC at the general polls.
