From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman (South East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed claims circulating on social media and in some purported news reports concerning the party’s candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District, (Orlu Senatorial Zone).
Arodiogbu, in a statement on Thursday signed by him and circulated to the media in Owerri including The Authority, said the matter was currently before the courts and therefore sub judice, but explained that persistent inquiries from party members, stakeholders and members of the public had necessitated the clarification.
He described the group allegedly operating under the name “Progressive Lawyers Forum” as unknown to the leadership, structures and membership of the APC, and urged party members and the general public to disregard what he characterized as fabricated narratives emanating from the group.
According to him, the group’s alleged reliance on documents purportedly emanating from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in support of former Governor Rochas Okorocha’s claim to the APC ticket was unfounded.
Arodiogbu stated that the APC Imo West Senatorial District Congress Committee, chaired by Rear Admiral Williams Kayode (rtd), conducted the primary election in accordance with the APC Constitution, the party’s guidelines and applicable laws.
He said the primary was conducted through the Option A4 method, involving direct voting by open queue across the local government areas within the senatorial district.
He added that at the conclusion of the exercise, Senator Hope Uzodimma was declared winner by the Congress Committee.
According to Arodiogbu, the Appeal Committee constituted by the APC National Working Committee subsequently reviewed the primary election, including its results and representations, and upheld the outcome.
He further stated that the party thereafter submitted Uzodimma’s name to INEC as the duly elected and nominated APC candidate for Imo West Senatorial District.
The APC National Vice Chairman also disclosed that he was specifically appointed by the National Working Committee to head the NWC monitoring team for the primary election in the South East.
He said his team’s on-the-spot observations and subsequent report to the NWC were consistent with the findings and declaration of the Congress Committee.
Arodiogbu further alleged that former Governor Rochas Okorocha was in Abuja on the day of the primary and did not participate in the exercise in his ward or any other stage of the primary.
He therefore expressed surprise at claims concerning an allegedly forged Certified True Copy or an alternative result purportedly obtained from INEC.
“The only authentic and valid result of the primary election is the one submitted by the party to INEC, affirmed by the Congress Committee, upheld by the Appeal Committee, and endorsed by the National Working Committee,” he said.
He maintained that any document purporting to show a different outcome should be subjected to appropriate legal scrutiny.
On the pending litigation, Arodiogbu said the legal process should be allowed to run its full course, adding that he had confidence in the judiciary.
He also stated that Rear Admiral Williams Kayode (rtd), chairman of the Congress Committee, and the committee’s secretary were alive and available, alongside other members of the committee and the monitoring team.
Arodiogbu said he was personally prepared to appear before the court and testify whenever required.
He reaffirmed that the APC was governed by its constitution, internal democracy and due process, insisting that the party’s nomination process followed the prescribed procedures.
He called on APC leaders, stakeholders, supporters and members across Imo State and the South East to remain calm and united while the matter is being resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
He said the party leadership would continue to defend the integrity of its processes, uphold the supremacy of its constitution and protect the collective interests of the party.
Arodiogbu clarifies Imo West APC ticket, says Uzodimma remains candidate
