Hilary Eke emerges as APC Chairman in Imo State

The Imo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully ended its State Congress in Owerri with Dr. Hillary Eke emerging as the State Chairman with 1,499 votes out of the 1,564 votes cast by the Party Delegates at the occasion.

Speaking at the event which was held at the Ahiajioku Convention Centre, Owerri at the weekend,  the Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha congratulated the newly elected State Chairman and other Executive Members of the Party on their victory, and appreciated the presence of the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) officials who monitored the event.

The governor said there will be no rigging in the State in 2015 because Imo people will be out to protect their votes and that no amount of armed soldiers or policemen would stop Imo people from safeguarding their votes in 2015, and advised those planning of rigging the 2015 election in the state to be very careful.

In his words, “we are here to protect democracy and make it work in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Our slogan in APC is ‘no rigging or rig and die’ and we are determined to ensure free and fair election at all times. In our Party, we don’t discuss how to carry box but how to win in election and by the Grace of God in 2015, victory will be ours.” 

Owelle Okorocha reiterated that since APC came into power in Imo State, things have changed for better as witnessed by all and therefore charged the new State EXCO to make APC stronger, assuring them there will be no interference from either the Legislature or the Executive in the discharge of their duties. 

He expressed satisfaction with the Chairman and members of the Congress Organizing Committee for the peaceful and transparent manner the election was conducted adding that their labour in the past three months in ensuring a memorable Congress was not in vain.

Earlier in his response, the Imo State Chairman of APC, Dr. Hillary Eke thanked the Governor and other Party Delegates for the privilege given him and his team to serve, promising that they will uphold the Party’s Manifesto and make its Constitution their guide.

Said he; “I see great men and women of this State who will lead our Party to a greater height.  We have been elected to serve our Party and that we shall do with humility, without undermining our Leaders.”

Other positions occupied by the Executive members drawn from Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe Zones include:-

·        State Vice Chairman –  Chief Christian Uzoma

·        State Organizing Secretary - Dr. Clement Anozie

·        State  Publicity Secretary – Engr. Nwabueze Oguchienti

·        State Welfare Secretary - Dr. Mrs. Ogbu Oguzie

·        State Assistant Auditor – Barr Charles Mbakwe

·        Senatorial Woman Leader – Mrs. Ego Ibeh

·        State Auditor – Mrs. Uloma Matthew

·        Asst. Woman Leader - Mrs. Dorathy Ukegbu

·        State Legal Adviser - Barr. Ogbonna Amadi

·        State Asst. Youth Leader – Mr. Chukwuma Onuoha

·        State Financial Secretary – Barr. Blessing Onugha,

·        State Legal Adviser – Barr. Ogbonna Amadi 

·        Youth Leader - Mr. Cannice Amadi

·        Ex-Officio Member – Hon. Ben Anugwara

·        Etc.

Contributing, the outgoing Chairman of the State Congress Organizing Committee, Chief Paul Chukwuma thanked Governor Okorocha for having confidence in him and his team to carry out the onerous task which he noted gave them the opportunity to discover that the achievements of the Rescue Mission in Imo State on ground are far beyond what is publicized through the media.

Speaking earlier, the APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso described the Congress as very successful as he noted ‘I have monitored the Congress, it is real and fair, INEC has endorsed and the Party has also endorsed.’

Adding her voice, the State Resident Commissioner of INEC, Prof. Selina Okoh commended the APC Leaders and Delegates for translating the Party’s Constitution into votes and for complying with the rules which she said made the Congress successful.

She called on all Political Parties to think and plan first, for the good of Nigeria as a nation. 

Prof. Okoh used the occasion to inform all that INEC is organizing a general electoral process that will ensure continuous voters registration and called on legible voters in the State to collect their permanent Voter’s Card for 2015 elections adding that the Commission will hold enlightenment programmes at the Federal, State and LGA Levels for better understanding and compliance.  

The event witnessed large turnout of Party Stalwarts, Delegates from all the LGAs and Wards of Imo State as well as observers among whom were the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, the SSG, Prof. Anthony Anwuka, the Chief of Staff, Sir Jude Ejiogu, and other members of the State Executive Council.  Others were the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Benjamin Uwajimogu and other Hon. Members, the Resident Commissioner, INEC, Prof Selina Okoh and her team and Security Outfits in the State.