2027: IMO ADC STRENGTHENS GRASSROOTS AS OKOROMA-LED EXCO INAUGURATES POLLING UNIT EXECUTIVES IN OKIGWE ZONE

By Ihezie Dede Walax

The Imo State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has commenced the inauguration and sensitisation of polling unit executives across Okigwe Zone as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The exercise commenced in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, where the State Chairman of the party, Prof. James Okoroma, led members of the State Executive Committee and other party leaders to Umuenyi for the inauguration.

The development forms part of the wider grassroots organisational drive of the Imo ADC, following similar inauguration and sensitisation activities already undertaken in other parts of the state. The party has described the process as an important step towards establishing functional structures at the polling unit level and ensuring that party activities are effectively coordinated from the grassroots upward. 

Addressing party members and the newly inaugurated polling unit executives, Prof. James Okoroma emphasised the importance of a strong grassroots structure to the growth and organisation of the ADC.

The State Chairman charged the new executives to take their responsibilities seriously, remain accessible to party members in their respective polling units and ensure that information about the party’s activities is effectively communicated within their communities.

Prof. Okoroma said, “Politics is local,” stressing that the strength of any political organisation depends greatly on the effectiveness of its grassroots structures.

The State Chairman also welcomed new members who joined the ADC from other political parties, including the PDP and an APC chieftain in Isiala Mbano. He described their decision to join the ADC as an indication of growing interest in the party and urged them to contribute actively to its development.

The ADC Apex Leader of Okigwe Zone, Chief Sir Stanley Ekezie, welcomed Prof. Okoroma, members of the State Executive Committee and other party leaders at Umuenyi, his hometown in Isiala Mbano and to Okigwe Zone and expressed support for the ongoing effort to establish a strong and functional polling unit structure across the zone.

He noted that effective political organisation begins at the grassroots and that polling unit executives have an important responsibility in maintaining contact between the party and its members within their communities.

He urged the newly inaugurated executives to remain committed to their duties, work closely with ward and local government leaders and promote unity, discipline and cooperation within the party.

The inauguration in Isiala Mbano was attended by several party leaders, including the ADC candidate for the Okigwe North Federal Constituency, Sir Emmanuel Egejurum (Bambas); the ADC candidate for the Isiala Mbano State Constituency, Hon. Mrs. Obiageli Nwogu (Ada Ihe); and the Isiala Mbano LGA Chairman, Hon. Pius Omah, among other party leaders and members.

The grassroots mobilisation and inauguration exercise subsequently moved to the Okigwe South axis, where the Imo ADC State Secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwokeke (Iroko), led other zonal officers to Ehime Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma and Obowo Local Government Areas.

The team inspected the party structures and inaugurated polling unit executives as part of the effort to ensure that every level of the party has clearly defined responsibilities and active officers.

In Ehime Mbano, the state secretary and his entourage were received by the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Chisom Dominic; the ADC candidate for the Ehime Mbano State Constituency; Hon. Marcel Chibueze Edoh, the Ehime Mbano LGA Chairman, Hon. Mrs. Comfort Ukasoanya; and other party leaders and members.

Hon. Nwokeke expressed satisfaction with the level of participation and the number of party members present at the exercise. He urged the newly inaugurated officers to regard their positions as responsibilities to the party and to the communities they represent.

He formally inaugurated the 13-member polling unit executive structure and assured the party members that the state leadership would continue to support the development of the ADC structure in the local government area.

He further called on the executives to maintain regular communication with their ward and LGA leadership, mobilise party members responsibly and ensure that the party’s activities are effectively coordinated at the polling unit level.

The team also proceeded to Umuihi in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area, where the LGA Chairman, High Chief Ebere Ezurike, the LGA Secretary, Prince Emeka Ndukwe, ward leaders and other party executives received the state secretary and his team.

Addressing the gathering, Hon. Nwokeke emphasised the need for unity and cooperation among party members, particularly at the ward and polling unit levels.

He urged the newly inaugurated executives to take ownership of their responsibilities, remain active within their communities and maintain regular communication with the party’s leadership.

The inauguration provided an opportunity for the party leadership to interact directly with grassroots members and reinforce the responsibilities of polling unit officers as representatives of the party within their respective communities.

The team later proceeded to Dimneze Ward in Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area, the home ward of the ADC candidate for the Okigwe South Federal Constituency, Sir Chuks Ogbonna Nwolokoro.

Although Sir Chuks Ogbonna Nwolokoro was not present, he was represented by the ward chairman and members of his campaign team, who received the state secretary and his entourage.

Speaking to party members and the polling unit executives, Hon. Nwokeke stressed the importance of building a disciplined and functional grassroots structure.

He urged the newly inaugurated officers to remain active in their communities, work with the ward leadership and maintain effective communication with party members.

The state secretary subsequently inaugurated the polling unit executives and charged them to discharge their responsibilities in accordance with the party’s rules and directives.

In Obowo Local Government Area, the LGA Chairman, Hon. Chief Emma Anyanwu, alongside other members of the LGA executive committee and party leaders, received the team and participated in the inauguration of the polling unit executives.

The party leadership encouraged the executives to work collectively, maintain contact with party members and ensure that the ADC remains properly organised within their respective polling units.

In Onuimo Local Government Area, the Okigwe Zonal Chairman, Hon. Sir Chimex Onuoha, led zonal officers from Okigwe North for the inauguration of polling unit executives.

The team was received by the ADC candidate for the Onuimo State Constituency, alongside party leaders and members in the local government area.

Speaking during the exercise, Hon. Onuoha charged the newly inaugurated executives to work together and maintain regular communication with their ward and LGA leadership.

He urged them to carry out their responsibilities in accordance with the directives of the party and to remain committed to building a united and well organised grassroots structure.

The series of inaugurations across Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma, Obowo and Onuimo marks another phase in the Imo ADC’s ongoing grassroots organisational programme.

As preparations for the 2027 general elections continue, the Imo ADC is continuing its organisational activities across the state, with the inauguration of polling unit executives forming a central part of its grassroots structure building programme.