Kaduru withdraws from Owerri Senate race, congratulates Mbata

Longers Anyanwu, Akobundu, Ike Odoeme for Ndubueze

From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

The Senate primaries of the Imo All Progressives Congress, scheduled to hold on Monday across the three senatorial zones of Imo East (Owerri), Imo West (Orlu) and Imo North (Okigwe), will be a fait accompli following the consensus agreement adopted by the party leadership, as the candidates have already emerged.

As a result, in Imo East senatorial zone (Owerri), Dr Chijioke Kaduru (Ngor Okpala), one of the major contenders for the sole ticket of the party, on Sunday stepped down for Prince Alex Mbata (Owerri North).

It could be recalled that Prince Mbata, who was the APC candidate in 2023, had lost to the incumbent, Senator Onyewuchi Ezenwa (also from Owerri North), who had contested on the platform of the Labour Party.

“Today, in a landmark consensus engagement, the leadership of our party have midwifed a decision that the Owerri Zone Senate ticket of our great party should go to Prince Alex Mbata from Owerri North Local Government Area of our zone. I extend my warmest congratulations to Prince Alex Mbata.

As a loyal and committed member of the APC, I wholeheartedly respect and accept the decision of the party leadership and stakeholders, recognising that the unity, stability, and collective interest of our party must always take precedence.

I equally reaffirm my steadfast loyalty to our great party, the APC, and to the exemplary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose vision and dedication to the continued progress and unity of our party and State remain deeply commendable,” Dr Kaduru told his teeming supporters and members of the Nkwa Chi Kwere Organisation yesterday.

Similarly, in Okigwe senatorial zone, three aspirants: Chief Longers Anyanwu (Obowo Local Government), Mr Ike Odoeme (Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area) and Mrs Gloria Akobundu (Isiala Mbano Local Government Area), have stepped down for the incumbent Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Okigwe Local Government Area) following a consensus agreement.

Their decision to step down followed a meeting of the leadership of the state party on Sunday.

Of course, in Imo West (Orlu) senatorial zone, the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (Oru East Local Government Area), who has already declared his interest in returning to the upper legislative house he left in 2019, already has the sole ticket in his kitty.

Recall that Senator Osita Izunaso (Oru West), the incumbent, has already stepped down for Governor Uzodimma, even though his “friends” have bought a Senate nomination form for him.