Ahead of All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has warned desperate politicians not to use money meant for their children’s school fees to buy forms if they cannot bear the risk.
He urged aspirants from Imo State seeking tickets for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly under the APC to embrace loyalty, discipline and sacrifice.
At a meeting with aspirants, leaders and stakeholders of the party in Imo State held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Owerri, Uzodimma described politics as not a lottery but a game of courage.
He stressed that certainly some people will win and some will not.
The governor, who warned against desperation, urged aspirants to remain committed to the party before, during and after the primaries.
He said: “There is a need for loyalty to the Party. That is what our partisan democracy requires.”
Uzodimma acknowledged that political contestation could be akin to a game but warned aspirants to weigh all the risks before throwing their hats in the ring.
He also called for respect for zoning and equity principles, noting that the party would adopt the Option A4 voting system in the primaries to ensure transparency and avoid accusations of favouritism where consensus did not work.
He advised aspirants and stakeholders to respect the equity and rotation formula where such exists in their communities, and assured that the APC Committee for the conduct of primaries as well as the Appeal Committee had been set up to deal with the exercise and handle grievances arising from the primaries.
The governor regretted that the number of aspirants for the different offices was quite large, hence the need for reason to apply in ensuring that the primaries are conducted in a manner that would turn out to be a win-win situation for the state and the party.
He said: “We don’t want Imo State to go back to Egypt.”
The State chairman of the APC, Chief Austin Onyedebelu, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to unity, reconciliation and electoral success ahead of future elections.
He said the State Executive Committee had taken steps to reposition the party for greater efficiency, unity and service.
Onyedebelu acknowledged grievances arising from party primaries but said reconciliation mechanisms had been activated to ensure harmony among members.
He used the opportunity to commend Uzodimma for approving the construction of a new state-of-the-art APC secretariat, describing it as a lasting legacy for the party in Imo State, while praising the governor for the feats achieved in the infrastructure development of the state.
Senators Osita Izunaso, Patrick Ndubueze and Ezenwa Onyewuchi took turns to speak on behalf of aspirants to the Senate, aligning with the laid-down principles of the party and pledging unwavering loyalty to the APC leadership at both state and national levels.