After three years of ceaseless political fireworks, Imo State citizens particularly those with PVCs will on March 9, 2019 go to the polls to elect a new State Governor and members of the State House of Assembly.
There is anxiety in the land as analysts say this will be the most keenly contested governorship election in the State since democracy berthed the shores of the country in 1999. In other words, it is a titanic battle considering the depth and intensity of the contest.
More than 50 governorship candidates will be on the ballot with over 1,000 House of Assembly candidates jostling to emerge lawmakers and Representatives of the 27 local governments in the State House of Assembly.
Six governorship candidates have been adjudged to be more determined in their quest to suceed Governor Rochas Okorocha whose two terms tenure of eight years will elapse on May 29, 2019.
They are by the alphabetical order, Action Alliance, AA candidate, Uche Nwosu, Accord Party Candidate and former Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, All Progressive Congress, APC candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate, Emeka Ihedioha and United Progressive Party, UPP governorship candidate, Hon.Tony Nwulu.
Action Alliance, AA
The AA may be a new political party in the race for the number top job in Imo State but it’s governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, has the backing of the incumbent Governor and father in law, Rochas Okorocha.
Okorocha has staked a lot to ensure Nwosu succeeds including earning a suspension from his party, the APC.
The AA has been energized by the entire Rescue Mission structure of Okorocha who are rooting for the success of Nwosu at the election.
Accord Party
The Accord party is another party that has leapfrogged seriously into the guber contest.
The strength of the party is anchored on former Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, who is staging a return to Government House, Owerri after serving for a term between 2007-2011.
All Progressive Congress, APC
APC is the ruling party in Imo State and is be determined to retain the State. However, it’s a different ball game for the party as it head to the polls without Okorocha who masterminded the party’s victory in the State in 2015.
With Okorocha’s suspension from the APC on allegations of anti party, the party p is relying on Senator Hope Uzodinma, it’s governorship candidate, to win Saturday’s election.
APGA
APGA has always been in contention for the governorship race in Imo State. The 2019 guber polls is not different. This time the party is coming into the contest with a well known political war horse, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume whose is making a fourth consecutive attempt to become Imo State Governor.
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is making a renewed in road into the guber contest. The last time the party occupied Government House, Owerri was between 1999- 2007 when Achike Udenwa was elected Governor.
Hon.Emeka Ihedioha, a former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives is leading the party for the second consecutive time into the contest.
United Progressive Party, UPP*
The UPP made an impressive showing in the 2015 governorship election. It intends to move beyond making up the number s having launched a determined resolve to win the guber polls on Saturday.
It’s governorship candidate, Hon.Tony Nwulu has shown a fierce and relentless determination to take the party to eldorado on Saturday.