Imo APC Dispute, Group Urges Senatorial Aspirants to Seek Resolution

The Democracy Alliance (DA) has urged aspirants seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for Imo West and Imo North senatorial districts to resolve their differences through established party channels ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group also cautioned political actors involved in the dispute against making statements or taking actions capable of heightening tensions and distracting the party from its electoral preparations.

The appeal was contained in a statement jointly signed by the group’s Chairman, Dr Ejiro Ernest, and Secretary, Mr Dare Adu, following controversy surrounding the APC senatorial primaries in the two districts.

Democracy Alliance urged the aspirants to work towards resolving their disagreements and strengthening the party’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.

It also called on those involved to avoid making unsubstantiated allegations against the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr Ben Nwoye.

The group said Nwoye was focused on his party responsibilities, including efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and other APC candidates.

It maintained that the disagreement was an internal party matter that should be addressed by the politicians directly involved, rather than allowing it to escalate into a wider controversy.

The group further urged aspirants in Imo West and Imo North to concentrate on party unity and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.

The intervention followed a petition by the Justice and Democracy Network to the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, alleging irregularities involving party and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) documents relating to the senatorial primaries in Imo State.

The allegations have not been established as proven wrongdoing, while questions surrounding the disputed documents and the primaries remain subject to the relevant procedures.

Democracy Alliance urged the parties to allow the appropriate authorities to examine the issues and address them through established channels.

It said resolving the disagreement through the party’s internal mechanisms and other appropriate procedures would help prevent the controversy from undermining the APC’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.