The race for Imo govenorship seems to have begun in earnest, with the body language of some top politicians in the State, showing their resolve to appear on the political stage for the number one position in the State.
In the All Progressive Congress, APC, it may be a closed arena for anyone seeking to vie for the APC governorship ticket as Governor Hope Uzodimma may settle for a second term in office.
Despite swelling rumours of perceived a Vice Presidential bid, Uzodimma’s grip on the party structure in Imo State, is a clear pointer of his resolve to seek a fresh term.
However, INNONEWS observed that most of the governorship aspirants for 2023 guber race, will come from Owerri zone, as the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may witness influx of aspirants.
Among those said to be interested in the guber race in 2023 include former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, whose followers say is on second journey to Government House, Owerri, after he was removed from office by the Supreme Court in January 2020.
Ihedioha has maintained total silence since he left office, but his close allies say he has put every machinery in place to stage a come back.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu is also said to be interested to make a second attempt at the number one position of the State after he lost re election to the Senate in 2023.
Many had faulted his decision to run for Imo governorship seat in 2019, dumping his second term bid to the Senate.
Another top politician who may be interested is Uche Nwosu, who was governorship candidate of the Action Alliance, AA in the 2019 governorship election.
Nwosu had emerged second in the 2019 guber election, losing to Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP.
What remains unclear is which political platform Nwosu will pursue his ambition considering the take over of the APC structure in Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Others who are suspected to be interested in the race include former Secretary to Imo State government, Sir Jude Ejiogu.
Ejiogu had also vied for Imo guber in 2019
A former member, House of Representatives, Hon Tony Nwulu, may equally stage a come back in the govenorship race after flying the flag of United Progressive Party, UPP in the last governorship election.
Nwulu, had put up an impressive performance in the contest, as many Imolites remember him as the youngest of all the guber aspirants.
In a newspaper article, Mr.Everest Ihezie, had described Nwulu “as governor of the future for Imo State”
With 2023 elections coming close, more aspirants are expected to join the fray already there are speculations that the likes of former govenorship hopeful, Stanley Amuchie and former Finance Commissioner and top notch economist, Chief Chris Asoluka may be compelled to contest.