Businessman, entrepreneur and tested administrator, Chief Austin Onyedebelu has been elected the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, taking over from esthwhile Chairman of the Party, Sir MacDonald Ebere, whose four years tenure came to a glorious end with a State Congress to elect his successor, Tuesday, March 3.

Onyedebelu will pilot the affairs of the Imo State APC in the next four years with a team of 36 officers, all of who were also elected via both consensus, voice vote affirmation and balloting by the Party delegates from the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square.

Governor Hope Uzodimma had charged members of the APC in Imo State to remain united and committed to equity in his remarks as the Party's State Congress Committee members got set to commence the processes of electing new officers.

Addressing delegates, including National Assembly members, State lawmakers, and former Party faithful, Uzodimma said the Congress was convened to elect a new State Executive Committee in line with the Party’s Constitution.

He commended the outgoing executives led by Ebere for their “stunning performance” over the past four years, but stressed the need to obey Party guidelines for the emergence of new executives.

“Our Constitution is the Bible guiding the activities of our great Party. We must obey it,” he said, emphasising the importance of adhering to the Party's rules.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the institution of the Charter of Equity in Imo State, noting that Party positions would rotate across zones to promote fairness and political stability.

“For the sake of equity and balance, leadership must continue to rotate from one senatorial district to another,” he stated, adding that the idea informed his decision not to support the re-election of the outgoing executives.

Uzodimma disclosed that stakeholders had agreed on a consensus “unity list” to ensure a rancour-free process, urging members to demonstrate to the world that Imo people are united and committed to progress.

He then formally declared the Congress open, expressing optimism that it would advance peace and development in the State and Nigeria at large.

In his opening remarks, the outgoing State Chairman of the APC, Sir. MacDonald Ebere, described the Congress as a defining moment in its democratic journey.

He noted that the exercise was not just a routine political event but a constitutional responsibility to elect leaders who will steer the Party's affairs for the next four years.

"We are not just electing leaders; we are shaping the future of our Party and our State," Ebere emphasised, urging delegates to uphold discipline, unity, and transparency throughout the process.

He welcomed officials from the Party's National Secretariat, and assured them of full cooperation to ensure a credible and orderly exercise.

Ebere thanked the Governor and Party members for their support, highlighting achievements in strengthening Party structures and grassroots participation.

He pledged continued loyalty to the Party and Governor, and urged Party members to unite behind new leaders, just as he expressed gratitude to God for the strength to complete his tenure honourably.

Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu had, accordingly moved the motion for the dissolution of the Ebere-led Imo State APC exco to pave the way for the election of new officers, as well as for the adoption of the consensus cum unity list processes of electing the new officers by the delegates as earlier agreed by the stakeholders.

His motion was supported by the Majority Leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Dele Onyemaechi, and sealed by the delegates with a thunderous "the Ayes have it."

The Chairman of the Imo State APC Congress Committee, Hon. Godwin Anaughe, who said the event was a crucial step in electing State Party leaders and praised Governor Uzodimma for his transformative leadership, cited achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and transport.

He also highlighted Uzodimma's national influence as Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Director-General of APC's Renewed Hope Campaign efforts for 2027.

Anaughe urged delegates to maintain peace, cooperation, and unity throughout the Congress, ensuring the Party's continued growth and developmental focus in Imo State.

Members of the State Congress Committee, the State Congress Appeal Committee, the State Congress Screening Committee and the State Congress Screening Appeal Committee took their positions to witness the delegates from the 27 LGAs cast their ballots in line with consensus nomination, election, voting by delegates and declaration, and affirmation of votes by all delegates that produced the new Party executives.

Chief Austin Onyedebelu and Onyekachi Ibezim emerged as Chairman and Secretary respectively, amid a total of 36 officers elected.

The newly elected officers were also sworn in immediately in accordance with the Party guidelines. They were led in an oath by a chieftain of the Party, Chief Sir Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN,

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly sworn in Executives, Chief Onyedebelu expressed gratitude to God, the Governor, Party leaders, and delegates for trusting him as Imo State APC Chairman.

He pledged unity, dedication, and collaboration to strengthen the Party, build on past achievements, and advance the Governor’s agenda, promising committed service to the people and APC.

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