Former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha may be poised to reignite his political career after his controversial exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, has been in the news lately over his 60th birthday.
Sources revealed to this newspaper last week that Ihedioha and his Rebuild Imo team are exploring new political alignments and may soon announce his next move.
Ihedioha left the PDP, citing irreconcilable political differences, particularly over the process of the party’s gubernatorial primary in 2023.
He was reportedly displeased with the aspiration of the PDP’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, for the governorship position while still holding the position of party’s national scribe.
Anyanwu’s bid for the Imo gubernatorial seat was fraught with controversy.
Despite losing the guber election, he became embroiled in a protracted legal battle to retain his position as the PDP National Secretary.
The legal issues have since been resolved, with the Supreme Court affirming him as National Secretary of the party last week.
Speculations have been swirling over Ihedioha’s next political steps, after planned moves to the Labour Party, LP, may have ended up in smoke.
The LP is embroiled in crisis, as two factions lay claim to be the authentic leadership of the party.
While some believe Ihedioha may return to the PDP, others point to the possibility of him joining the Social Democratic Party (SDP). One of his aides had on social media dispelled such move.
The SDP has recently emerged as a haven for aggrieved politicians from both the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The wave of defections to the SDP has been led by notable political figures in the country, such as former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
This shift has further fueled speculations about Ihedioha’s potential move to the party, which is gaining momentum as a platform for dissatisfied politicians seeking a fresh start.
Interestingly, Ihedioha, El-Rufai, and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar recently made a joint appearance at a press briefing in Abuja last week.
The trio condemned the suspension of Rivers State Governor ,Simi Fubara, and declaration of state of emergency in the State by President Bola Tinubu, signaling a rare display of unity across political divides.
The idea of forming a mega party or coalition of opposition forces is gaining traction among political heavyweights across the country.
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and other prominent figures from the PDP and APC are reportedly in discussions to create a formidable platform to challenge the ruling party in the 2027 general elections.
Amid these developments, observers say that Ihedioha may be waiting for the formation of this mega party before making any official declarations.
Such a platform could provide the ideal springboard for his renewed gubernatorial ambition in Imo State, after being sacked as Governor by the Supreme Court in 2020 and with incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma.
Analysts say that as political realignments continue to shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027, Ihedioha’s next move remains a subject of intense speculation in the State.
Whether he returns to the PDP, joins the SDP, or waits for the emergence of a mega party, his actions will undoubtedly have significant implications for the 2027 Imo governorship race.
