APP picks Chima Amadi for Owerri Senate race

From Idu Jude

The Action Peoples Party (APP) has adopted businessman and political figure Chima Matthew Amadi as its consensus candidate for the Owerri Zone Senate seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, setting the stage for what is expected to become one of Imo State’s most closely watched political contests.

Amadi, popularly known as “Mazi Gburugburu,” emerged unopposed during the party’s primary election held on Friday at the APP secretariat along Okigwe Road, Ugwu Orji, Owerri.

The exercise, supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was conducted under the leadership of the party’s National Organising Secretary and Chairman of the Owerri Senatorial District Primary Election Committee, Obed Agu.

Party leaders, executives and delegates endorsed Amadi without opposition in what APP leaders described as a strategic move to strengthen party unity ahead of the elections.

National Chairman of the party, Uche Nnadi, was also present at the exercise.

Speaking after his emergence, Amadi thanked party members for their loyalty, insisting that many supporters remained committed to the APP despite pressure to defect to larger political parties.

According to him, the decision of members to stay with the party reflected conviction rather than political convenience.

Observers, however, view the Senate ambition as part of a broader political strategy.

Through his political structure, The Mazi Organization, Amadi has already indicated interest in contesting both the Owerri Zone Senate seat in 2027 and the Imo State governorship election expected later the same year.

Political analysts say the Senate bid could provide him with grassroots consolidation and a stronger political platform ahead of a possible governorship race.

The APP candidate also used the occasion to raise concerns over insecurity in parts of Imo State, citing the killing of community vigilante member David Onyegbula in Umuguma, Owerri West.

Amadi questioned the effectiveness of government spending on security, arguing that the primary responsibility of government remains the protection of lives and property.

“The gap between security allocations and the continued loss of lives is deeply troubling,” he said.

The Owerri Zone Senate race is already attracting major political figures across party lines following the decision of incumbent Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi not to seek re-election.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has nominated former Deputy Governor Eze Madumere as its candidate, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is backing Alex Mbata.

Former Ondo State First Lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu has also declared interest in the contest under the Labour Party.

The APP is expected to campaign heavily on equity and zoning, with party leaders arguing that Ngor Okpala Local Government Area should produce the next senator for the district.

An APP chieftain, Ugochukwu Ndudiri, criticised the APC’s choice of candidate, claiming it undermined the zoning arrangement within Owerri Zone.

Closing the primary, Imo State APP Chairman, Njesi Ernest Anayo, urged members to remain united ahead of the elections.

While the APP succeeded in avoiding internal divisions through consensus, political observers say the bigger challenge will be translating party unity into electoral strength against better-funded and more established opponents in the 2027 contest.