APC Primaries: 5 Lawmakers Secure Tickets Amid Upsets In Imo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday concluded its House of Representatives primaries in Imo State with five serving members and a former lawmaker winning party tickets, while several incumbents were edged out in surprising defeats.

Winners declared by party officials included Eugene Dibiagwu for Oguta/Ohaji‑Egbema/Oru West, Tochi Okere for Owerri federal constituency, Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East, Akarachi Amadi for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, and Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South. Sandra Inyama clinched the Ideato ticket, Ngozi Pat‑Ekeji won Ngor‑Okpala/Aboh Mbaise, and Chukwudi Anyanwuocha defeated incumbent Emeka Chinedu for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte.

The primaries produced notable upsets. Celebrated entertainer Pascal Okechukwu, known as Cubana Chief Priest, failed in his bid to represent Orlu/Orsu/Oru East after incumbent Canice Moore secured the ticket. Other incumbents who lost included Hon. Harrison Nwadike, Hon. Miriam Onuoha and Hon. Chike Okafor, who were unseated by Cosmos Maduba (Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba), the victorious candidate in that ward, Chukwudi Anyanwuocha (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte), and Jonas Okeke (Okigwe South), respectively.

Imo APC spokesperson Dr. Jones Onwuasoanya said results were still being collated but described the exercise as peaceful and well attended. In a statement he said voting concluded across the state’s 305 wards, with most wards finishing around 15:00hrs and the final ballot cast at Central School, Omuma, where Governor Hope Uzodimma joined party members.

“The voting exercise went smoothly and peacefully across all the political wards, underscoring harmony, discipline and the democratic culture among APC members in the State,” Onwuasoanya said. He thanked party members, electoral officials, INEC staff, security agencies and aspirants for their cooperation.

Party sources told LEADERSHIP that zoning concerns were largely addressed in the outcome, contributing to celebrations in winning camps and conciliatory messages from defeated aspirants on social media.