He is a political masquerade. A big fish, a political dinosaur whose political dexterity has contributed in shaping the Imo political landscape. Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Representing Imo West Senatorial Zone is no political pushover. Pundits attest that he went to the senate twice from a political zone like Orlu is not a child’s play.
His move to the All Progressive Congress is indeed a major political development in Imo State. Before now, news of his possible move from the PDP to the APC had been trending. When he lost out in the battle to posses the soul of Imo PDP as a prelude to oil his political ambition, there were speculations that the APC could be his next destination. And he confirmed such assumptions when he was present at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, April 27, 2018 where he was handed the party’s flag by the National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun.
Implications of his switch to the ruling party vary. Many wonder how he will cope in a party so polarized and where a “cold war” is ongoing between Governor Rochas Okorocha, his Rescue Mission followers on one side and other stakeholders such as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu, Senator Osita Izunaso, Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere.
Prior to his defection, Senator Uzodinma is not known to have aligned to any of the camps in Imo APC which indicate that he is joining the party as a third force. During his stay in the PDP, he had a solid political structure that put up a strong fight to take over the executives of the party in Imo State. In his political family, there are hundreds of staunch political foot-soldiers including public office holders such as House of Reps members, ex this, ex that. That underscores his political clout. Little wonder, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta Federal Constituency, Hon Goodluck Nana Opiah was the among the first to join him into the APC train.
His speculated governorship ambition is expected to fire up the political tension in Imo APC and possibly put a clog in the wheel of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s ambition to go to the senate in 2019 from Orlu Zone. Also, it adds more fuel to the raging fire of discord that is rocking the APC in Imo State over Okorocha’s intention to install his son in law as his successor in 2019.
What if the distinguished decides to shelve his ambition and work with Okorocha? Is it possible? Pundits argue this may not be feasible on the grounds that he cannot back Okorocha for Orlu senate seat and at the same time support Uche Nwosu’s governorship ambition. Political pundits say this will put him in a “political fix” as such arrangement will put him out of political circulation after 2019.
Would he join forces with the “opposition elements” in Imo APC? against Okorocha or will use his political strength and might to evolve a ” third force” to succeed in his next political adventure? Only time will tell.
CONSTANCE WROTE FROM ABUJA
