By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Action Peoples' Party (APP) has elected state officers to pilot the affairs of the party ahead of the 2028 Imo State off-circle gubernatorial election.

The state congress was conducted through consensus in the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which took place at the party's Secretariat, MCC Uratta Road in Owerri on Sunday.

The long activities commenced with the ward Congress on April 22, followed with a local government and zonal election of officers on April 24, and climaxed with the election of the members of the state working committee.

The Congress had in attendance party chieftains, leaders, stakeholders, ward elected executives as well as local government delegates across the 3-Senatorial zones of the state added glamour and colour to the consolidation of the party's democratic evolution and deepening of APP internal mechanism.

Ernest Njesi, former interim caretaker committee chairman, was overwhelmingly reelected and returned as the party's helmsman. Other members of the SWC elected alongside the chairman were; Barr. Ogemdi Ezemonye, Engr. Henry Alaribe and Hon. Ernest Ezirim were elected as deputy chairmen of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones respectively, while Engr Emeka Onwukwe and Hon Chief Uju Ugochukwu emerged as the substantive state Secretary of the party and Deputy state secretary.

Others elected at the Congress were; Barr. Dr Uche Nwosu, State Legal Adviser, while Barr. Casmir Anyanwu was returned as deputy state legal adviser. The positions of state financial secretary and deputy went to chief Sylvester Durukwuaku and Hon Eddy Nwosu. Amb Steve Nnadi emerged the state publicity secretary and to be deputise by Hon Wisdom Echefu.

The state Youth leader of the party went to comrade Isidore Chukwuemeka with Hon.Chinonye Ezuruike serving as the deputy.

Mrs Stella Nneka Chukwu and Mrs May Obiyo were elected as woman leader and deputy respectively.

The former house of Assembly member of Ihitte Uboma state constituency Hon. Michael Onyemachi got the job of the organising secretary of the party to be deputised by Hon JohnPaul Onuoha, while the state treasurer went to Hon. Peter Etoh and auditor of the party duly elected and sworn-in was Dr Brent Akomas.

To hit the ground running after taking oath of office, the State Chairman, Hon Ernest Njesi, in his acceptance after the election, charged party members to redouble their efforts to move the party forward while calling on all party faithful to remain committed and steadfast to the ideals of the party in order to make the party most viable winning machine and number one party in the state.

Speaking at the event, the Congress committee led by Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, commended members for the hitch-free exercise for ensuring transparency and credible process which was witnessed by the representatives of independent national electoral commission led by the Electoral Party Monitoring (EPM), Dr. Nneka Iluogu, as well security agencies who maintained order and decorum throughout the peaceful proceedings.

Admonishing the state working committee members elected at the Congress and other officers of the party, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/South federal constituency at the national Assembly charged them to embark on aggressive grassroots sensitization and mobilization of the electorate across board.

He noted that APP has remain the number one opposition party in the state with two performing House of Representatives members.

The leader of caucus called on all party faithful to brace up and sustain unity, cohesion and strategic engagement with the people which will aid electoral victory at the forthcoming polls.

In the same vein, Hon chief Henry Onwukwe (Apiti Uzo-ubi), a prominent leader and the Director-General of The Mazi Organization (TMO), reaffirmed and reiterated the unwavering commitment of APP Leader, Dr Chima Mathew Amadi, for his guidance and exceptional leadership that's building the party to a formidable electoral vehicle.