Outrage in Ahiazu-Ezinihitte over  alleged substitution of APC House of Reps primary election winner

Maureen Aguta

Tension had risen high in Ahiazu /Ezinihitte Federal Constituency over alleged move by the State APC leadership to substitute the winner of on May 16th House of Representatives primary election which their illustrious son, Hon Barr. Chukwudi Anyanwuocha was overwhelmingly elected the flag bearer of the party for the Ahiazu- Ezinihitte Federal Constituency.

The apex Mpam socio-cultural organisation, Mpam Elites Forum (MEF), had strongly condemned the sad news which was said to have emanated from the APC State Secretariat in Owerri that the name of the rightful winner May 16th Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Federal Constituency primary election, Hon Barr. Chukwudi Anyanwuocha has been substituted with the name of two time representative of the Constituency from Ahiara Clan in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area, Rt Hon Nnanna Igbokwe.

The association in a statement on Thursday, made available to Advocacy Times, described the reported rumour as a dangerous turn of events as it would upturn the perceived good deed of the righting the wrong done to the Ekwerazu Clan which has not produced a Federal House of Representatives since 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy.

Speaking, the Legal Adviser of MEF, Barr Augustine Chinaka, called on the party to ensure that the rumour does not turn out to be true as it will be a very wrong signal to the public that external influence has damaged internal democracy in the party.

According to him, if the rumour turns out to be true, the simple interpretation will be that the party does not only disrespects the performing leader of the party in Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma CON on the outcome of its own internal election, but also has not respect for the collective will of the people.

Chinaka further said that if the rumour turns out to be true, not only will it hurt the chances of the party in the 2027 elections in Ahiazu-Ezinihitte Federal Constituency for imposing an unpopular candidate, it would also deepen the marginalisation wound which the Ekwerazu Clan which is rightfully insisting that it is their turn to produce the House of Reps member for the constituency.

Also speaking, the Global Secretary of MEF, Mr. Paul Ogbuokiri expressed confidence on Barr. Chukwudi Anyanwuocha ‘s victory on the just concluded APC Party Primaries election for Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency. He described it as the mandate of the people.

 He further disclosed that Barr Anyanwuocha emerged through a free, fair, credible and transparent party primary election, saying “any attempt by the party to go ahead with the alleged substitution will be counter productive.

 “It would also rubbish the rotational agreement between Ezinihitte LGA and Ahiazu LGA. Again why go against the will of the party members by imposing on them and the entire residents of the constituency somebody rejected at the poll. We are keeping our fingers crossed, hope that the party at the national level will not allow this travesty of justice to stand.”

“Substituting  the man holding the popular mandate with an unpopular candidate such as Nnanna Igbokwe will not only affect the rotational agreement rather it will affect the chances of the President and Senatorial Candidates in 2027 general election,” Ogbuokiri stated.

 Advocacy Times reports that an eye witness to the APC party primaries election, Hon. Chief Charles Ogbata (Ohazurumee 1) of Mpam Ancient Kingdom who noted that the election was conducted on May 16, 2026 in the 24 Wards of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency and Barr. Chukwudi Anyanwuocha emerged victorious.

 According to him the election was very peaceful and that was why other House of Representatives aspirants congratulated the winner, Barr. Chukwudi Anyanwuocha.

Meanwhile, the Global Leader of MEF Royal Nze Chukwuemeka Okeke advised the constituents to remain peaceful and law abiding as the state and leadership of the APC are wise enough to take the right decision by allowing the mandate of the people to prevail.