2027: We’ll fight like wounded lions for Tinubu’s re-election – Imo APC chairman

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo State, Austin Onyedebelu, has declared that the party will “fight like a wounded lion” to ensure the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Onyedebelu made the declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting between the State Working Committee and APC officials from the nine local government areas and 105 wards in Owerri Zone.

The meeting was attended by local government party executives, ward executives, elected council chairmen, councillors and other party officials.

Addressing the gathering, the state chairman stressed that unity remained the party’s greatest weapon for electoral success.

He urged members and party leaders to work together to secure overwhelming victories for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the state during the 2027 general elections.

Onyedebelu also warned party officials that they would be held accountable for the party’s performance in their respective localities.

“If you lose our votes, we are going to hold you responsible. Don’t tell us why you failed after the election.

“Tell us now what will make you fail so we can address it. If there is anything or any leader that will sabotage our efforts, you must tell us now for us to address it,” he said.

The APC chairman urged party faithful to focus on genuine grassroots mobilisation rather than relying on shortcuts, insisting that only real votes would guarantee electoral victory.

According to him, unity remains the key to achieving success at the polls.

He also cautioned members against engaging in anti-party activities, warning that those who work against the APC would have little to gain.

“If you support the opposition to win against your party, when they begin to share the proceeds of victory, they will first reward their own party members before remembering you,” he added.

Onyedebelu further described the 2027 general elections as a defining moment for Owerri Zone in its quest to produce the next governor of Imo State.

Earlier, the APC State Secretary, Onyekachi Ibezim, said the meeting was convened to enable the State Working Committee to engage directly with party executives at the local government and ward levels ahead of the 2027 elections.

He noted that the officials constitute the grassroots structure of the party and would play a crucial role in determining its electoral success.

Responding on behalf of party members in Owerri Zone, the APC State Vice Chairman for the zone, Justus Ogu, assured the State Working Committee of the zone’s commitment to delivering victory for the party in the 2027 elections.

He pledged that Owerri Zone would deliver victories for the APC from the presidential election down to the State House of Assembly polls.