Chief Primus Odili, a frontline aspirant for the Anambra North Senatorial District under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on journalists in Anambra State to use their professional skills to expose politicians with criminal records seeking elective office ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Odili, popularly known as “Okeosisi Aguleri,” made the call during an interactive session with select journalists.

He stressed that the media must protect the integrity of the electoral process by bringing the backgrounds of political actors to public scrutiny.

“Individuals with criminal convictions, including those obtained through plea bargains, should not be entrusted with public office,” he said.

He explained that a plea bargain is a legal arrangement in which a defendant pleads guilty to a criminal offence in exchange for a lighter sentence or reduced charges.

He insisted that such an agreement still constitutes a criminal conviction.

Speaking on the forthcoming APGA primary for the Anambra North Senatorial seat, Odili alleged that one of the aspirants who has been parading as having the   capacity of winning the seat for the party has a criminal record and has only been a member of APGA for about six weeks.

He urged journalists to remain courageous in exposing such individuals and quoted Wole Soyinka’s – The Man Died:  A man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.”

Responding to a question about reports that a member of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s “kitchen cabinet” had been drafted into the Anambra North Senatorial contest, Odili dismissed the claim.

He said the governor had repeatedly stated that he had no preferred candidate in the race and added that the said aspirant does not even know party members in his ward.

Odili maintained that he has remained loyal to APGA over the years and has contributed significantly to the party’s growth in Anambra North and across the state, particularly during his era as Chief of Staff to former Governor Willie Obiano.

The senatorial hopeful added that only a candidate with broad grassroots appeal and widespread acceptance can win the seat for APGA in Anambra North in the 2027 elections.