There was an overwhelming show of support for the Senator representing Imo North Senatorial District, Senator Patrick C. Ndubueze, as members, supporters, and well-wishers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in large numbers on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Police Field in Okigwe Local Government Area.
The event marked Senator Ndubueze’s first official interaction with the newly elected APC executive members in Okigwe Zone, led by Hon. Dan Ogu. A similar engagement had previously been held under the past leadership of the party.
The APC state leadership was well represented at the occasion. Among those present were the State Chairman, Hon. Chief Austine Onyedebelu; the Secretary, Hon. Onyekachi Ibezim; the Deputy Chairman, Arc. Allen Enwerem; the Organizing Secretary, Okey Ezuruike; the Treasurer, Emenike Uzo; the Woman Leader, Mrs. Egondu Ewelike; the Youth Leader, Hon. Franklin Chukwuemeka; the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Onyeme Promise; and the State Leader (Special Citizen), Hon. Samuelson Emeribe, among others.
Also in attendance were members of the Imo State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chike Olembge. They included Hon. Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpa (Okigwe State Constituency), Hon. James Uba Esile (Onuimo), Hon. Samuel Ikechukwu Osuji (Isiala Mbano), and Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibe (Obowo), who chaired the event. Others present were Hon. Kelechi Ofurum (Owerri North) and Dr. Barr. Ikenna Ihezuo (Orlu).
Several government appointees and dignitaries also graced the occasion, including the Commissioner for Industry, Mines and Solid Minerals, Barr. Jerry Egemba; former Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Lady Love Ineh; former Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Hon. Simon Ebegbulem; the Special Adviser to the governor on Rural Mobilization, Hon. Charles Ijezie; the Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Hon. Ogbonna. Other notable personalites included; Prof. Nnamdi Obiarare, Chief Ozo Barrister Babatunde Ezekwem, Rt. Maxwell Duru, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Dr Marcel Egwezue, Hon. Sir. Acho Asiegbu, and Hon. Sir. Fabian Nwosu.
Traditional rulers, led by the Chairman of the Okigwe LGA Traditional Institution and Community Policing Council, were present, alongside Catholic clergy who offered prayers and performed the traditional breaking of kola nut.
In his address, Senator Ndubueze expressed gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Dist. Senator Dr. Hope Odidika Uzodimma for his support and leadership commitment. He highlighted several achievements during his tenure as Senator, top among them includes the ongoing construction of the 1/63 MVA Mobitra electricity substation, which has reached about 8% completion and is expected to improve power supply across Okigwe Zone.
He noted that locations for step-down transformers have already been identified and secured.
The senator also announced the approval and gazetting of the Federal University of Okigwe, stating that once land allocation is finalized, a technical committee will be inaugurated to oversee the operations of the University.
Other projects mentioned included a silo project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, ongoing road rehabilitation across communities, and various constituency development initiatives at different stages of execution.
Senator Ndubueze further emphasized his commitment to human empowerment and capacity-building programs, referencing a major empowerment initiative held in 2024 at Okigwe Township Stadium, which was attended by the state governor.
He concluded by appreciating attendees and urging party members to remain committed to the success of the APC while continuing to support developmental efforts in the zone.
Several speakers at the event which included, the Speaker, IMHA, Rt. Hon. Chike Olembge (Ihitte Uboma), the Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibe, (Obowo State constituency), Hon. Chidiebere Ogbunikpa (Okigwe state constituency), the State Chairman of APC, Hon Chief Austine Onyedebelu, former Speaker, IMHA, Rt. Hon. Maxwell Duru, Prof. Nnamdi Obiarare, Chief Ozo Barrister Babatunde Ezekwem, Hon. Lady Love Ineh, and the deputy State Chairman of APC, Arc. Allen Enwerem and Zonal Chairman of APC, Dan Ogu. Among community leaders who commended the senator’s performance.
They described his achievements as commendable and expressed strong support for his potential bid for a second term in office.
By Fredrick Uchenna