Major political parties in the state are in low-tempo mobilization ahead of the November 11, 2023, governorship election.
With 49 days to the election, the intensity of the contest is low, as many political parties and their candidates are yet to commence campaigns in the local governments.
Records show that 75 percent of Imo voters originate from the hinterlands, while 15 percent come from urban or semi-urban settlements.
These voters from the local governments will determine who wins the November 11 governorship election.
Aside the Labour Party (LP), which is currently on campaign with its candidate, Senator Athan Achonu, having visited Owerri West, Aboh Mbaise, Ngor Okpala LGAs thus far, etc., other flagbearers of other parties are yet to commence full-blown campaigns.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, whose candidate, Governor Hope Uzodimma, is seeking reelection, is yet to officially begin its LGA campaigns after successfully setting up its campaign council, which was inaugurated last week by the National Chairman of the APC, Umar Ganduje.
In the PDP, party sources claim that its governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had visited the 27 local governments for “consultation.”, not long ago.
But this newspaper gathered that he is yet to take his campaigns to the local governments to market his aspirations to the local populace.
Analysts contend that the inability of the candidates to visit the hinterlands could be the worrisome level of insecurity in the state.
Last week, some security operatives were gunned down by gunmen in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area.
“This could be creating fear and tension among the candidates because it is unheard of that, barely 50 days before a crucial governorship election, campaigns in the local governments by candidates are not forthcoming,” said Mr.Geb Okwu, a public policy analyst.
The PDP governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, told newsmen recently that six of the 12 local governments in Orlu zone is insecure.
INNONEWS observed that candidates have rather focused on engaging various groups and individuals, whom they usually invite from various parts of the state, to converge in Owerri, the state capital.
Aside little or no campaigns in the LGAs by the candidates, the gubernatorial contest is not enriched with issues, with candidates focusing on insecurity, as education, health, and infrastructure development are relegated to the background.
