INEC Lists Ebirim as APP Candidate for Oguta Assembly Seat Ahead of 2027 Election
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Greg Winner Obimma
OWERRI, Imo State — The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has published the personal particulars and names of candidates submitted by political parties for the 2027 Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, with Apostle David Lemchi Ebirim listed as the Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Oguta State Constituency.
The development is expected to further define the political contest for the Oguta State Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC's electoral timetable provides for the conduct of Governorship and State House of Assembly elections as part of the 2027 General Elections. The Commission has also outlined the statutory process for political parties to submit candidates and for the publication of their particulars.
The publication is in line with Section 29(1) and (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, which provides for political parties to submit the names and particulars of their candidates to INEC within the prescribed period and for the Commission to publish the relevant particulars.
The constitutional framework for State House of Assembly elections is provided under Section 116 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended. The section provides for elections into State Houses of Assembly on a date appointed by INEC in accordance with the Electoral Act.
Reacting to the development while speaking with newsmen in Owerri, Ebirim commended INEC for what he described as compliance with the legal requirements governing the electoral process.
“Yes, we have been expecting such developments to fully kick-start the election cycle. You cannot claim to be a candidate in an INEC election without getting this done. Since this has been achieved, our attention will now move towards campaign activities concerning the state elections, while the national elections campaign has already commenced,” he said.
Ebirim also commended the leadership of the APP in Imo State for what he described as efforts to strengthen the party's presence across the state.
He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Chief Mathew Amadi, PhD; the party's Owerri Zone Senatorial Candidate; Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato South/North Federal Constituency; the state chairman, Hon. Nzeim; Hon. Henry Onwukwe, popularly known as Apiti; and other party leaders and stakeholders.
According to him, the party's growing visibility across Imo State was the result of sustained grassroots mobilisation and the commitment of its leadership.
“Achieving this feat did not come easily. It is a result of leaders who are resolute and understand what leading people requires, especially when championing an opposition party in a state like Imo.
“You need people who are competent, courageous and understand the real governance issues in Imo State. We have Mazi Gburu Gburu, Ugochinyere and others who are men of great value to democracy and leadership,” he said.
Ebirim, a former Labour Party Chairman in Oguta Local Government Area, reaffirmed his commitment to contesting the Oguta State Constituency seat on the APP platform.
He said the publication had brought an end to speculation over his political ambition and signalled his readiness to commence broader engagement with voters on governance and representation.
“Every speculation about whether I am running for the Oguta State Constituency election is now over. People have known who is serious and who is not. Having gone this far, we are now focused and more determined to go into campaign activities and, importantly, engage the people on real issues of governance,” Ebirim said.
He said his campaign would focus on what he described as issue-based governance, accountability and the need to assess the performance of political leaders before supporting calls for continuity.
“People talk about continuity. In the coming days, we shall know the benchmark for continuity and the reason for electing a leader who will work for Ndi-Oguta,” he added.
Ebirim further argued that the constituency had suffered from inadequate political representation and promised to make grassroots development a central focus of his campaign if elected.
He listed communities including Izombe, Osemoto, Agwa and Orsu-Obodo among areas whose developmental concerns, according to him, would receive attention.
“My candidacy will address real issues that affect the ordinary people in Izombe, Osemoto, Agwa, Orsu-Obodo and other communities. We shall take governance to the people, not leave the people starved of governance,” he said.
He expressed appreciation to APP members and leaders in Oguta, particularly the LGA Chairman, Hon. Canice Arubgu, and other stakeholders for their support.
Ebirim urged party supporters to remain united as the election approaches, insisting that APP would work to consolidate its grassroots structure across Oguta and the wider Imo political landscape.
The 2027 General Elections will include elections into State Houses of Assembly across the country. The publication of candidates' particulars forms part of the statutory preparations for the elections under the Electoral Act, 2022.
As the 2027 elections approach, the Oguta State Constituency contest is expected to attract significant political attention in Imo State, particularly with opposition parties seeking to challenge the incumbent representative, Hon. Engr. Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ebirim is positioning himself as the APP candidate seeking to represent Oguta State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, with his campaign expected to focus on grassroots development, accountability, representation and governance.
The contest is likely to generate increased political activity across the constituency as political parties and their candidates intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 election.
