The Action Peoples Party (APP) concluded its state congress on Sunday, electing a new slate of officers to steer the party ahead of the 2028 Imo State off‑cycle gubernatorial election. The congress was held at the party’s secretariat on MCC Uratta Road in Owerri and was observed by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The electoral process began with ward congresses on 22 April, followed by local‑government and zonal elections on 24 April, before culminating in the election of the State Working Committee (SWC). Party leaders, ward executives, local‑government delegates and other stakeholders from the three senatorial districts attended the event.
Ernest Njesi, the former interim caretaker committee chairman, was re‑elected as state chairman with overwhelming support. The new SWC includes Barr. Ogemdi Ezemonye, Engr. Henry Alaribe and Hon. Ernest Ezirim as deputy chairmen for the Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones respectively. Engr. Emeka Onwukwe was appointed state secretary, with Hon. Chief Uju Ugochukwu as deputy secretary.
Other key appointments announced at the congress were: Barr. Dr. Uche Nwosu as state legal adviser and Barr. Casmir Anyanwu as deputy legal adviser; Chief Sylvester Durukwuaku and Hon. Eddy Nwosu as state financial secretary and deputy; Amb. Steve Nnadi as state publicity secretary, deputised by Hon. Wisdom Echefu; and Comrade Isidore Chukwuemeka as state youth leader, with Hon. Chinonye Ezuruike as deputy. Mrs. Stella Nneka Chukwu and Mrs. May Obiyo were elected woman leader and deputy, respectively.
The party’s organisational roles were filled by former Ihitte‑Uboma State Assembly member Hon. Michael Onyemachi as organising secretary (deputised by Hon. JohnPaul Onuoha), Hon. Peter Etoh as state treasurer, and Dr. Brent Akomas as auditor.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman Ernest Njesi urged members to intensify efforts to make APP a “viable winning machine” and the leading party in Imo State. The congress committee, chaired by Okenze Blyden Amajirionwu, praised the transparent and peaceful conduct of the elections, which were monitored by INEC’s Electoral Party Monitoring (EPM) unit led by Dr. Nneka Iluogu and overseen by security agencies.
National Assembly member Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere addressed the newly elected SWC, calling for aggressive grassroots mobilisation and stressing APP’s status as the state’s principal opposition party, represented by two sitting members of the House of Representatives. He appealed for unity and strategic engagement to secure victory in the upcoming elections.
The congress also highlighted the continued support of APP national leader Dr. Chima Mathew Amadi, affirmed by Hon. Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director‑General of The Mazi Organization (TMO), underscoring the party’s ambition to become a formidable electoral force in Imo State.
