*BY KEVIN AMADI*
Senator representing Orlu Senatorial Zone (Imo West), Senator Hope Uzodinma has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
In the last two months, news of the Senator’s move to the APC had been raging. His latest political move now ends months of speculation on the political direction of the Senator ahead of the 2019 general elections. Uzodinma is a two time senator having being elected to the senate on the platform of the PDP.
His defection is coming barely few hours his erstwhile political ally, Senator Ali Modu Sherrif, then factional National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP also rejoined the APC.
Senator Uzodinma had lost out in a fierce scramble for the soul of the PDP in Imo State where he was alleged to be running for Imo governorship seat.
His postulations on Igbos possibly losing the Presidency in 2023 had given an inkling that he was sympathetic to the ruling party since the PDP had zoned its presidential ticket to the North.
There has been no official statement from the distinguished senator on his defection. But pictures surfaced online showing the senator exchanging greetings with the APC National Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun at a party meeting in Abuja and handed over the party’s flag to the Senator.
Political analysts said Senator Uzodinma’s cross over to the APC tend to increase the political tempo in the party in Imo that is already polarized by ambitions of key stakeholders in the party. It is unknown if he will continue to pursue his rumoured governorship ambition or possibly establish a “third force” in the party.
However, with his defection, the All Progressive Congress now have two senators from Imo State.
