TD Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji, the pioneer Commissioner for Homeland Security in Imo State and the frontline aspirant to succeed Governor Hope Uzodimma, has inaugurated an Aspiration Council at his Lorji Ward, in Aboh Mbaise LGA.
The joyful event took place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Orji Ukwu Estate, in Lorji Nwekeukwu Autonomous Community.
The former Commissioner told the 40-member UGORJI FOR IMO GOVERNORSHIP ASPIRATION COUNCIL at Lorji that more than anything else, he wanted his home folks to be part of the foundation of the historic journey to Government House Owerri.
However, he told the council made up of mostly APC members , that he is not setting up a structure.
“As Governor Uzodimma would say to me, ichuga structure, ka ichuga ticket (are you chasing the structure or are you chasing the ticket?).”
Ugorji said he would never set up any structure as formidable as Uzodimma’s, so why bother?
“I will follow my leader, and when the time comes, I will ride on his coattails,” he said.
“I’ve got Royalty and Loyalty in my DNA. It won’t be Uzodimma 3.0, but there can be no greater extension of Uzodimma’s legacies and political influence than an Ugorji 1.0 governorship, because I am a disciplined stickler to agreements and understandings,” he assured the council.
Prominent among those who attended the inaugural meeting were Chief Louis Iwuala, Chief Sir Udo Anokwu, Mr. Udochukwu Iwuoha (current APC chairman at the Ward).
Others are Engineer Akajiaku Oguala (current Government PG of the community), Mr. Ukanwa Onyekwere (the first Chairman of the APC at Ward), Hon. Magnus Emenogu, and Mr. Collins Agomuo.
Also present were Mrs. Ngozi Agharanya, Mrs. Hannah Nwachukwu (President of the Women’s Wing of the Town Union), and Mrs. Lois Nwachukwu, to mention a few.
Speaker after speaker took great pride in saying that a would-be governor was from the small but historic town of Lorji.
“Dr. Ugorji, give us an identity in the leadership circle of Imo State,” Chief Anokwu instructed Ugorji.
“You have already given us identity, but our identity is now more pronounced because one of us is a serious and frontline governorship aspirant of repute,” he added.
According to Chief Iwuala, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we already know that you have put us in play and on the current map of leadership in the state.”
He went on to add that “Dr. Ugorji is not a selfish politician and there is no ounce of greed in him.”
Engineer Oguala said he wished he was a billionaire, because he would fund Dr. Ugorji’s run for governor.
“We will do everything we can to take your aspiration and your vision for Imo State to every local government area in Imo State,” he promised.
Nze Emeka Njoku, who blessed the kola nut at the event, called on the Creator and the ancestors of the community to watch over every step Dr. Ugorji takes from Ala Lorji to the larger Ala Imo.
“Walk and work with confidence, young man. We might yet shake and shape the world,” he admonished Ugorji.
There are three categories in the Ugorji Governorship Aspiration Council: Officers, Booth Captains, and Leaders.
UGORJI FORMALLY ENDORSES MBATA, EKEJI, AND AMUCHIE
During the inauguration of his Aspiration Council, Dr. Ugorji formally endorsed the APC candidate for Senate in Imo East senatorial Zone, Dr. Alex Mbata.
“I know Mr. Empowerment himself. I supported him four years and I support him now,” Ugorji told his council.
“Consider me joyfully PAMIFIED. Let’s work to get him elected this time,” he urged.
He also endorsed the APC candidate for the Federal House of Representatives in the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala constituency, Barrister Mrs. Pat Ekeji.
“Olaedo is my big sister in whom I am well pleased. I went to see her and her husband, Dey Pat.
“I told them that if either of them came out for governor, I would leave the race.
“That’s how much I respect them. We must do everything legal to send her to the green chambers,” he told the council.
On Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie, the APC candidate for Imo House of Assembly in Aboh Mbaise, Dr. Ugorji said he was highly impressed by the carriage and eloquence of the man.
“I commend him for joining us in APC. I am a consistent intellectual.
“I argued for experience and seniority in favour of Hon. Eddie Obinna when he sought to return to the House four years ago.
“I make the same argument for experience and seniority in the case of Amuchie.
“I support him and I ask you to work for his reelection,” he told the council.
Ugorji, who said that he is not a transactional politician, told his Aspiration Council that his support for Mbata, Ekeji, and Amuchie were unconditional.
By Alex Elugwaraonu
