*Tinubu Banks On Uzodimma
*Atiku Relies on Ihedioha, Others
*Peter Obi Enjoys Massive And Overwhelming Acceptance
Barely few days to the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly election, the race for the presidency has begun in earnest, with Imo State certainly expected to be one of the battleground for votes among the three leading presidential candidates- Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP) and Peter Obi (Labour Party).
In the past, the PDP had dominated the presidential contest in the state,considering its strength and capacity at that time. But the scenario may likely change in 2023 presidential election as a result of the strong political incursion of the All Progressives Congress, APC and the Labour party in the political landscape of the State.
The APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is banking on Governor Hope Uzodimma to sweep the polls in the state on Saturday. It is a known fact that Uzodimma has relentlessly advanced and supported the presidential ambition of Tinubu in the state and in the South East in general.
Uzodimma has not hidden his desire for Tinubu to emerge President of Nigeria on February 25, with the Imo State governor going the extra mile in aiding in setting up structures for the APC presidential hopeful beyond Imo State.
On November 17, 2022, Uzodimma had organized a Parley between Tinubu and the private sector in the South East where over N1 billion naira was pledged in support for Tinubu’s presidential bid.
Tinubu in return, has never under estimated Uzodimma’s capacity, saying “I have known you [Hope] from your days at the National Assembly. Anyone who underestimates you does so at his own peril”.
Analysts contend that Tinubu’s chances of winning the presidential vote in Imo State is hinged on Uzodimma, who has not hidden his passion for the success of Asiwaju’s presidential bid.
However, the presidential election in Imo State will not be a roller coaster for Tinubu as the PDP presidential candidate and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, is also expected to make an impact in the state.
Atiku is expected to rely on former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, and other party stalwarts, to secure if not victory, but 2/3rd of the total votes cast in Imo.
Despite the sharp division in the party in the state as a result of a feud between Ihedioha and National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Atiku’s chances in the state is not in total jeopardy considering the fact that the PDP remains the major opposition party with impressive number of followers and supporters.
The Labour party has grown in leaps and bounds in Imo State and this can be attributed to the widespread support and acceptance enjoyed in the state by its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Obi’s ambition propelled by “Obidients” has become a tsunami, as thousands of Imolites have openly showed enormous willingness to vote for the former Anambra State Governor at the presidential polls on Saturday.
With a feeble political structure, Obi’s chances of winning the presidential election in Imo State is bright considering the level of support he has garnered in the state and other South East states.
Analysts contend that despite the strong presence the APC and PDP presidential candidates enjoy in Imo State, Obi is a major threat to their success and may cause an upset.
