Four incumbent members of the House of Representatives lost their bids to secure return tickets during the All Progressives Congress primaries held across Imo State on Saturday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The primaries, conducted using the Option A4 voting system across the 10 federal constituencies in the state, produced a mix of new candidates and returning lawmakers.

The affected lawmakers are Matthew Nwogu (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala), Miriam Odinaka Onuoha (Okigwe South), Harrison Anozie Nwadike (Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele) and Emeka Martins Chinedu (Ahiazu/Ezinihitte).

Candidates who emerged from the exercise include Ngozi Pat-Ekeji for Aboh/Ngor-Okpala, Chukwudi Anyanwuocha for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte, Sandra Inyama for Ideato North/South, Canice Moore Nwachukwu Omeogo for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East, Jonas Okeke for Okigwe South, Uchenna Agasu for Okigwe North, Dibiagwu Eugene for Oguta/Ohaji-Egbema/Oru-West, Cosmos Maduba for Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba, Akarachi Amadi for Mbaike and Tochi Okere for Owerri federal constituency.

Ahead of the primaries, Governor Hope Uzodinma had assured party stakeholders that the emergence of candidates would reflect the state’s charter of equity and zoning arrangements.

Speaking during an APC stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Owerri on Thursday, Uzodinma said the party would not impose candidates on members.

He stressed that existing zoning understandings across constituencies and political zones would be respected to maintain balance and fairness within the party.

According to him, although all party members were constitutionally qualified to contest, the APC also had a responsibility to protect internal agreements that had helped sustain stability in the state chapter.

The governor said the party adopted the Option A4 system to ensure transparency, credibility and wider participation in the process.

“APC would adopt the Option A4 system for its primaries, saying the method would guarantee transparency, credibility and wider participation of party members in the emergence of candidates for various elective positions,” he said.

Uzodinma disclosed that nine aspirants purchased forms for the senatorial primaries, while 107 others obtained forms for the House of Assembly contests.

He also stated that women and youths would enjoy priority consideration during the primaries in line with global recommendations on inclusive governance, while clarifying that such concessions would not undermine male aspirants.

The governor urged aspirants to approach the exercise with sportsmanship, noting that elections naturally produce winners and losers. (The PUNCH)

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