A legal luminary and Head of Social Media of the Imo Harmony Project (IHP)—a political pressure group advocating for the emergence of an Owerri Zone governor—Barrister Willie Amadi has assured members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State that the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 off-cycle election will emerge through a broad, inclusive, and peaceful consensus process.
Amadi, an APC chieftain, emphasized that irrespective of zoning considerations, party faithful across the three senatorial zones would rally behind whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer, in the spirit of unity, equity, and the collective interest of Imo State.
The Owerri-born politician made this known while reacting to a recent publication by INNONEWS, circulated on the SAVE IMO WhatsApp platform, titled “Imo 2027: Where Are Owerri Zone APC Guber Aspirants?”, authored by Innocent Onyeukwu.
Reacting to the article, Michael Nwachukwu, a member of the Owerri Zone Progressives Forum (OZOPROF), acknowledged concerns about the seeming quietness among potential APC governorship aspirants from Owerri Zone but cautioned against interpreting strategic restraint as political timidity or lack of interest.
“APC in Imo State is a highly organised party with strong internal consultation mechanisms,” Nwachukwu said. “The 2027 governorship race will not be driven by noise-making or premature declarations, but by deep consultations, party cohesion, and consensus-building aimed at producing a candidate acceptable to the widest spectrum of party stakeholders.”
Similarly, an Owerri-based political analyst, Jeff Onunaka, noted that succession politics within a ruling party requires tact, maturity, and patience.
“Politics, especially within a ruling party like the APC, is dynamic. Consultations are ongoing across the zones, and no serious aspirant is asleep. Many party leaders prefer structured engagement with stakeholders over media dramatics,” he stated.
Also speaking, Barrister Ekeledirichukwu Oruwari, a legal practitioner based in Owerri, emphasized that the APC remains committed to peace and unity as it approaches the 2027 election, stressing that the party would not allow personal ambition to divide its ranks.
“The overriding goal is to consolidate the gains recorded under Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration. The party will adopt a process that ensures continuity, stability, and victory at the polls. Zoning is important, but party unity is paramount,” Oruwari said.
Corroborating Willie Amadi’s position, Oruwari further stressed that the APC’s internal democracy allows for wide participation, dialogue, and consensus.
“Our party has matured beyond sentiment and turn-by-turn politics. Whoever emerges—whether from Owerri, Orlu, or Okigwe Zone—will enjoy the full backing of APC members because the process would be inclusive and transparent,” he assured.
“We want a candidate who can unite the party, win the election, and govern effectively. That is the APC’s priority for 2027.”
Efforts to reach the APC State Chairman, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, PhD, for comments on Amadi’s position proved abortive, as his mobile phone line was switched off at the time of filing this report.
It will be recalled that Owerri Zone and Okigwe Zone have remained at loggerheads over the question of where the successor to Governor Hope Uzodimma should emerge from. While Owerri Zone maintains that it is its turn to produce the next governor in line with the Imo Charter of Equity, Okigwe Zone contends that there can be no equity until it is allowed to complete a tenure that was previously truncated, allegedly by Owerri Zone.
