Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has declared his interest to contest for the Imo West Senatorial District seat in 2027.
Uzodimma, who is serving his second term as governor, announced this in a post on his X handle on Sunday 10th May.
In a statement posted on his X account after appearing before the screening committee of the All Progressives Congress for the National Assembly primary election, Uzodimma said the aspiration was driven by the overwhelming support and encouragement from the people of Imo West Senatorial District.
He said: “My dear people of Imo West Senatorial District have once again called upon me to serve, and I have accepted this noble call with utmost humility, sincerity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to the collective advancement of our people.”
The governor maintained that the APC has continued to demonstrate commitment to purposeful leadership and people-oriented governance across the country, and that his ambition to represent Imo West at the Red Chamber was inspired by the need to deepen development and support the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.
Two weeks ago, APC leaders in Imo West had purchased the party’s nomination form for Uzodimma and described him as their consensus candidate.
Currently, three prominent politicians are in the race for the Imo West senatorial ticket under the APC: former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, incumbent Senator Osita Izunaso, who currently represents the zone in the Senate, and Governor Uzodimma himself.
According to Blueprint Newspapers, sources within the APC are already dismissing his rivals’ chances. An APC official who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Whoever wants to contest for APC Orlu senatorial ticket will just be wasting his time and his money. Nobody can stop Uzodimma as it is right now.”
His second term in office will elapse by January 2028, while the next Senate is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027. Multiple sources had claimed in April that Uzodimma had perfected plans to resign his position as governor to pursue his senatorial ambition, amid reports of a deal with his deputy, Chinyere Ekomaru. The governor’s office has since denied those reports.
