Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against participating in political coalitions outside the party, threatening to retrieve vehicles distributed to campaigners who disregard the directive.
Uzodimma issued the warning on Tuesday in Owerri during the inauguration of the Imo chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, a group mobilising grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying his administration had evaluated the president’s performance and supported continuity to allow him to consolidate ongoing reforms.
“We will work with you. We will do the work. We will re-elect the president,” Uzodimma said.
He described the movement as a means of communicating the Federal Government’s policies and achievements directly to Nigerians at the grassroots.
Addressing the group’s officers and coordinators, Uzodimma warned that their membership of the APC required them to work within the party’s political structure.
“The PBAT door-to-door officers and coordinators, listen to me. You are members of APC. If I see you work outside APC, I will collect the vehicle from you,” he said.
“You are here; you are empowered to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and All Progressives Congress. There is no rainbow coalition in Imo state.”
Uzodimma also acknowledged the movement’s founder, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and promised his administration’s backing for the group’s activities.
The warning comes amid discussions around political alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and founder of the rainbow coalition, said in January that the movement marked a departure from conventional party politics.
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Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), explained that the group was pursuing its interests while aligning them with those of Tinubu.
However, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), chaired by Uzodimma, has said it would not support alliances or political arrangements that could weaken Tinubu’s re-election chances or undermine APC candidates in the 2027 polls.
Tompolo-Backed Movement Presents 30 Vehicles In Imo
As part of its mobilisation drive, the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement presented 30 vehicles to support campaign activities across Imo State ahead of the 2027 general election.
The group’s National Coordinator, Sunday Adekanmbi, said the vehicles were provided at Tompolo’s instance. He added that the founder had directed the establishment of the state chapter and pledged resources to strengthen grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu.
“We have come with vehicles and other resources. These vehicles you have seen, there are 30 of them. We brought them to Imo state to support you in your cause to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Adekanmbi urged members of the newly inaugurated chapter to cooperate with the state APC leadership, participate actively in campaign programmes and encourage residents to support the president.
The Imo APC Chairman, Austin Onyedebelu, said the party intended to intensify direct engagement with residents through its door-to-door campaign strategy.
According to him, the initiative would enable party representatives to explain government policies, meet residents in their homes and marketplaces, and hear their concerns.