The Imo State gubernatorial primary issue continues. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Young Progressive Party are visible in the state (YPP). Leaders clashed over party candidates before the primaries. All parties split, with their leaders at crossroads at the state and national levels.
INEC announced the election candidates recently. Horse trading has increased till INEC lifts the election campaign prohibition. The key players in the big parties and candidate camps are making strides to clean up before the election campaign begins. All stakeholders are also frantic to persuade their fans and party members to behave to ensure a peaceful election. Several relevant authorities are diligently partnering with INEC and security agencies to streamline the process. The poll’s environment is improving.
PDP
The PDP still dominates the state. As it ruled the state for years, it is profoundly ingrained in the population. Before APC took power, it produced governors, senators, House of Representatives and state Assembly members. Opposition leaders have challenges. Since losing the presidential ticket, PDP has had a problem after the crisis. Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former governor Emeka Ihedioha are competing to lead the party to the Promised Land. Ihedioha quietly left the gubernatorial contest. The national secretary of the party, who did not quit before the primary, was overwhelmingly chosen as the PDP candidate for the November 11 Imo election.
Labor Party
Once former Anambra State governor Peter Obi entered the February 25 presidential contest, the party gained popularity in the state. It sparked a widespread Obidient Movement. The state’s power brokers and the lovely bride joined the LP immediately. Before party primaries, the LP was in trouble. Parallel primaries resulted from the internal issues. Three of the 13 LP contenders want the November election ticket.
Former senator Athan Achonu, who represented Imo North, won the primary at Land Mark Hotel Owerri, while Ukegbu Ikechukwu Joseph won at Uratter/MCC. The caretaker committee headed by Mr. Festus Onyekwulisi fired Mr. Ambrose Onyekwere a few weeks before the primary.
The national party leadership and Peter Obi have endorsed Achonu since his candidature. Achonu has also received backing from the 27 LGA party chairman.
APC
As APGA merged with other parties, it ruled the state under former governor Senator Rochas Okorocha. The state’s ruling party, APC, has strengthened. Additional lawmakers joined the state party, which still faces PDP in elections. The APC gubernatorial primaries featured just one contender, Governor Hope Uzodimma. Hence there was no severe internal problem. APC nominated him unanimously.
None of the INEC’s final gubernatorial and deputy governorship candidates are women. Just two parties—ADP and APC—have female running mates. Governor Uzodinma’s running partner is Ekomaru Chinyere Ihuoma, while Ottih Vivian Ogechi is ADP’s deputy governorship candidate.
After the primaries, Governor Uzodimma urged PDP candidate Samuel Anyanwu to brace for failure in the state election. The governor responded to Anyanwu’s claim that the three PDP legislators who defected to APC were insignificant to the party. PDP national secretary Anyanwu refuted a recent allegation that Uzodimma will win the November 11 election. Anyanwu said in the magazine that he will beat Uzodimma despite the legislators and their followers joining APC. Collins Ughala, Uzodimma’s special assistant on public communications, said that the governor’s accomplishments in all areas would help him defeat his opponents, especially Anyanwu. Ughala said Anyanwu’s repeated comments are a mind game and that his antics would fail after the election.
State residents expect a close race. Others think the election will be a litmus test for Uzodinma’s administration and a referendum on its four-year record. After so many years in opposition in the state, the opposition parties, notably the PDP, are fighting for survival in the election. Several stakeholders feel the November 11 election is a confrontation between Imo’s power brokers and the current establishment.
