A major political storm is building in Imo State after a powerful regional group moved to shut down competition for the Imo West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 elections, throwing its weight behind Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) has publicly endorsed Uzodimma for the senatorial seat, declaring that no other aspirant will be considered for the position. The group described its position as final, united, and irreversible.
At a press briefing held in New Owerri, OPOCA leaders said their decision followed what they called a “rare political consensus” among All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders across Orlu Zone. According to them, the governor had already been symbolically presented with the nomination form by party stakeholders a day earlier.
OPOCA National President, Chief Rex Anunobi, said the endorsement reflects a collective political direction that cannot be ignored. He insisted the gathering of APC figures backing the governor was a clear signal of overwhelming support within the zone.
The group praised Uzodimma’s record in office, pointing to road infrastructure upgrades, security improvements, and economic activities across Imo West. They argued that his leadership had reshaped the region over the past seven years.
Beyond his performance as governor, OPOCA also leaned on Uzodimma’s past experience in the Senate, describing him as a “seasoned legislator” whose return to the National Assembly would strengthen representation for the zone.
The assembly further framed his ambition as part of a broader political strategy aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s national agenda, describing him as a “super senator” capable of attracting development to the South-East.
However, the most controversial part of the declaration came with a clear warning to potential rivals. The group stated that the senatorial seat should not be contested by any other aspirant within Orlu Zone.
“Any individual who defies this collective will shall be deemed to have opposed the supreme interest of our people,” OPOCA warned, signalling a tightening grip on the political space ahead of 2027.
The move is expected to intensify internal debates within the APC in Imo State, particularly around zoning, internal democracy, and the future balance of political power in Orlu Zone.
