APC Owerri Zone Launches Grassroots Mobilisation Of 234 Autonomous Communities, Raises ₦20.16m

The initiative was unveiled at a fundraising and mobilisation meeting convened by the Owerri Zonal Executive under the leadership of the Zonal Chairman, Chief Justus Ogu, KSM, and attended by party leaders, stakeholders, candidates and other critical actors from across the zone.

The planned mobilisation tour is aimed at taking the message of the APC directly to the grassroots through engagements with President-Generals of autonomous communities, traditional rulers, women leaders, youth leaders and other community stakeholders, with the objective of securing strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Owerri Zone reaffirms commitment to Charter of Equity

In his address, the Zonal Chairman, Chief Justus Ogu, KSM, expressed appreciation to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, for his leadership and particularly for championing the Imo Charter of Equity.

Chief Ogu noted that the Charter provides an important framework for fairness, inclusion and political stability in the state, while giving Owerri Zone the opportunity to produce the next Governor of Imo State in 2028 after the completion of the current administration.

He stressed that the opportunity presented by the Charter must be matched with unity, organisation, credibility and collective commitment by political leaders and stakeholders across the zone.

The Zonal Chairman also highlighted developmental projects and interventions of the Uzodimma administration across Owerri Zone, particularly in the areas of road infrastructure and urban renewal.

He urged party leaders and stakeholders to work together in the interest of the zone and avoid divisions capable of undermining its collective political aspirations.

Prince Lemmy Akakem: We must carry the burden of selling our candidates

Speaking at the event, the Apex Leader of Owerri Zone, Prince Lemmy Akakem, said the fundraising and mobilisation exercise had become necessary because leaders of the zone must take responsibility for presenting the APC and its candidates directly to the people.

According to him:

“We are here today to raise funds in support of the party’s candidates, to sell all our candidates to the various Autonomous communities by meeting with their President Generals (PGs), their Ezes, women and youth leaders.”

Prince Akakem said the responsibility of delivering electoral victories for the APC could not be left to individual candidates alone, stressing that political leaders across Owerri Zone must carry the message of the party to the grassroots.

He noted that Governor Uzodimma currently bears significant responsibilities at the national level by virtue of the assignments entrusted to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, adding that it was only fair for Owerri Zone to support the Governor by delivering the President and other APC candidates massively in the 2027 elections.

Prince Akakem also commended Governor Uzodimma for responding to the longstanding aspiration of Owerri Zone to produce the next Governor of Imo State after Orlu Zone.

He said:

“We must commend the Governor for hearkening to our pleas to hand over the next Governor after Orlu to Owerri zone and the only way to pay the Governor back is by delivering the President massively come January 2027 across Owerri Zone and also deliver all other of our Party’s candidates.”

Fundraising records ₦20.16 million in donations and pledges:

The fundraising segment of the meeting received substantial support from party leaders, stakeholders and APC candidates from across Owerri Zone.

The exercise recorded ₦5.61 million in cash donations and ₦14.550 million in monetary pledges, bringing the total financial donations and pledges to ₦20.16 million.

The contributions were as follows:

Donor Contribution

Sen. Ezenwa Onyewuchi ₦2,000,000 cash

Prof. Placid Njoku, former Deputy Governor ₦2,000,000 cash

Prince Alex Mbata, on behalf of APC candidates from the zone  ₦10,000,000 pledge

Chief Charles Anyanwu, Kporo Kporo Mmiri, Apex Leader of Aboh Mbaise ₦1,000,000 cash

Sir Jude Ejiogu ₦1,000,000 pledge

Chief Henry Njoku ₦1,000,000 pledge

Sir Levi Oguike ₦100,000 pledge

Chief M. O. Nlemigbo ₦250,000 pledge

Chief Justus Ogu ₦100,000 pledge

Chief Amadioha Ngor-Okpala ₦100,000 pledge

Hon. Okey Ezuruike ₦50,000 pledge

Hon. Kachi Ibezim ₦200,000 pledge

Hon. Chukwuma Onyekwere ₦50,000 cash

Hon. Chinyere Ofurum ₦50,000 cash

Chief Andy Chikwe ₦200,000 pledge

Chief Dozie ₦100,000 pledge + furnishing of campaign office

Chief Sam Agunwa ₦100,000 pledge

Hon. Kelechi Ofurum ₦50,000 cash

Nze Ray Emeana ₦100,000 cash

Nze Julian Nwaogu ₦50,000 cash

Chief Raymond Amaefule ₦100,000 cash

Hon. Mrs. Mgbechi Blessing ₦100,000 cash

Hon. Oguehi Mgbeoka ₦10,000 cash

Hon. Ishiopi ₦100,000 cash

Hon. Lady Ekenjoku Ifeoma ₦100,000 pledge

Hon. Eze Obonna ₦100,000 pledge

Dr. Perry ₦200,000 pledge

Hon. Ngozi Aririgozu ₦50,000 pledge

Mama Kay ₦100,000 pledge

Engr. Kingsley Onwubiko ₦200,000 pledge

Engr. Ikenna Elezieanya ₦500,000 pledge

Alhaji Suleman ₦50,000 pledge

Ambrose Nwaogwugwu ₦50,000 pledge

The Zonal Executive acknowledged that some of the contributors were not physically present at the event but had their donations or pledges presented through representatives.

The ₦10 million pledge by all APC candidates from Owerri Zone, presented through their senatorial candidate, Prince Alex Mbata, was the largest single financial commitment recorded at the event.

The Zonal Executive also acknowledged the additional commitment by Chief Dozie to furnish the campaign office for Owerri Federal Constituency, the monetary value of which was not stated and therefore is not included in the ₦20.16 million total.

₦36 million projected for grassroots mobilisation:

The Zonal Executive disclosed that the proposed sensitisation tour has a projected budget of ₦36 million and will cover the 234 autonomous communities across Owerri Zone.

The funds will support engagements with traditional rulers, President-Generals, women and youth leaders, transportation, media coverage, security and other logistical requirements associated with the grassroots mobilisation.

The initiative is expected to provide an organised platform through which the party and its candidates can directly engage the people, explain their programmes and strengthen the party’s presence across the communities.

APC Owerri Zone calls for unity:

The APC Owerri Zonal Executive called on party members, leaders, candidates and supporters to remain united and committed to the collective political interest of the zone.

The Zonal leadership stressed that the 2027 elections would be critical to the political future of Owerri Zone and the realisation of its aspiration to produce the next Governor of Imo State in 2028.

It therefore urged stakeholders to work together to deliver strong results for the APC at the polling units, wards and Local Government Areas across the zone.

The Zonal Executive further clarified that the autonomous community tour is intended to complement the work of the party and its candidates and to prepare the ground for effective grassroots engagement.

The APC Owerri Zone expressed confidence that sustained mobilisation, unity and collective commitment would strengthen the party’s performance across the zone in the 2027 elections.