Ekrem İmamoğlu shares invitation message for opening from his account: The journey begins in Ankara

The first "Presidential Candidate Office" of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested as part of investigations into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB), will open in Ankara.

A statement was made by the CHP regarding the matter.

According to the statement, the "Presidential Candidate Office" of the imprisoned İBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, whom the CHP has designated as its Presidential Candidate for the upcoming elections, will be opened.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL WILL ALSO ATTEND

A ceremony will be held for the first "Presidential Candidate Office," planned to open in Ankara's Çankaya district, on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 18:30, with the participation of Özgür Özel.

İMAMOĞLU: THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Sharing a post from his X account, Ekrem İmamoğlu made the following statement:

"My freedom may have been taken away from me today…

But no one can touch my dream of a wealthy Turkey where the youth are hopeful, retirees are happy, civil servants are excited to serve their country; where farmers and industrialists are determined to produce; and where tradespeople are smiling…

A Turkey where reason prevails and science is the guide.

The journey to turn that dream into reality begins in Ankara.

Our Presidential Candidate Office is opening.

You are all invited."

Bugün özgürlüğüm elimden alınmış olabilir…
Ama gençleri umutlu, emeklileri mutlu, memurları ülkesine hizmet için heyecanlı; çiftçisiyle, sanayicisiyle üretmeye azimli; esnafı gülümseyen…
Aklın egemen, bilimin yol gösterici olduğu zengin bir Türkiye hayalime kimse dokunamaz.
O… pic.twitter.com/l07oFiqkhT

— Cumhurbaşkanlığı Aday Ofisi (@CBAdayOfisi) July 25, 2025

HOW DID THE PROCESS UNFOLD?

The university diploma that Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is expected to be the presidential candidate against AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, received 35 years ago was canceled on March 18.

Istanbul University decided to cancel the diplomas of İmamoğlu and 28 other people who were "determined to have transferred" during the same period, by revoking them.

With this decision, the diploma of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was preparing to enter the primary election as the sole candidate to become the CHP's presidential candidate, was canceled just 5 days before the primary.

While reactions to the cancellation of the diploma continued, İmamoğlu was detained on March 19 during a dawn raid on his home as part of investigations launched into the İBB on allegations of 'corruption'.

İmamoğlu, who was referred to the courthouse, was arrested on March 23, the day of the CHP's primary election, and sent to Silivri (Marmara) Prison.

Millions of citizens went to the polls to participate in the CHP's primary election held on March 23. According to the information shared by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in Saraçhane, a total of nearly 15 million citizens, including solidarity votes, chose Ekrem İmamoğlu as the CHP's presidential candidate.

News Source: 12punto