Imo’s political landscape is heating up as former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, policy strategist Dr. Chima Amadi, and Senator Athan Achonu prepare for a bruising battle over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. With ADC emerging as the flagship opposition coalition platform, the fight for its soul may decide the future of power in Imo.
Ihedioha’s dramatic exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and swift alignment with ADC has sent shockwaves across the state. He has already mobilized his Rebuild Imo Movement (RIM) and instructed members to fully migrate into the ADC fold, signaling his intent to control party structures before the primaries. His return has revived old loyalties but also drawn fierce resistance from newer forces within the opposition bloc.
Standing firmly in his path is Dr. Chima Amadi, the emerging face of a youth-driven insurgency under the The Mazi Organization (TMO). Backed by federal legislators including Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, and Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, Amadi is building a statewide coalition that cuts across old political boundaries. Insiders say his quiet alliance with Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba’s camp gives him an edge in funding and strategic depth.
Amadi’s rise has disrupted calculations. Unlike Ihedioha’s top-down model, his campaign is rooted in grassroots mobilization, tech-savvy outreach, and appeals to Imo’s large youth population. Analysts say his challenge is no longer speculative but existential to Ihedioha’s dominance, especially if party primaries are conducted transparently.
Meanwhile, Senator Athan Achonu, Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate, is reportedly in advanced talks to join ADC and relaunch his ambition from Okigwe zone. A political survivor with a tested structure and deep war chest, Achonu’s entry could tilt ADC’s zoning and coalition balance, especially as both Ihedioha and Amadi hail from Owerri zone.
The zoning dynamic has further complicated the race. With both the Owerri and Okigwe zones jostling for the ADC ticket, calls for an equitable rotation have intensified. The unresolved question of which zone should produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor could fuel either consensus or catastrophe within the coalition.
Sources within ADC say the party’s national leadership is under intense pressure to ensure a free and credible primary to prevent implosion. “This is bigger than just party ticket sharing—it’s about presenting a unified opposition front capable of breaking APC’s stronghold,” a top party insider noted. Political watchers warn that any sign of manipulation could splinter the coalition and gift the APC a smooth ride in 2027.
With Governor Uzodimma already laying down succession groundwork within the APC, the ADC’s ability to manage ambition, balance zone interests, and rally behind a single candidate may determine whether Imo witnesses a historic power shift or yet another replay of political déjà vu.
