The political turf in Imo State is gradually taking shape as notable political gladiators like Emeka Ihedioha, Chima Amadi, and Samuel Anyanwu emerge as key opposition voices or faces.
However, the effectiveness of their roles remains in question as their strategies appear more self-serving than people-focused. This underscores a critical flaw in their style of opposition: the prioritization of personal ambitions over cohesive advocacy.
The trio have so far failed to harness the prevailing dissatisfaction among citizens of the state toward Governor Hope Uzodimma’s All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.
Despite widespread hardship and despondency among citizens, the opposition has yet to galvanize this sentiment into a unified call for change, leaving Uzodimma and his APC unchallenged in many respects.
Governor Uzodimma’s political mastery, often likened to President Bola Tinubu’s “dark politics,” has allowed him to effectively weather criticism.
His administration’s recent strides in governance, including the recent free healthcare programme for the vulnerable across the 27 local governments, the reconstruction of key infrastructure like the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, Owerri-Orlu Road, and recent plans to repair Naze-Nekede-Ihiagwa Road, Assumpta-Umuguma Road, Hospital Road, and Chosen Dreamland Road and other critical infrastructure, signal a strategic move to soften public discontent ahead of the next election cycle, three years from now.
Moreover, Uzodimma’s government seems to understand the importance of optics. By addressing select public concerns and initiating high-impact projects such as the anticipated Egbema Power Station for 24-hour electricity across the State, his administration is working to redefine its narrative.
These efforts, though limited compared to other major problems plaguing the state, resonate with a majority of Imo population known for its propensity to shift focus from past grievances when current conditions improve.
For the opposition, their strategy appears lackluster thus far. Opposition politics should go beyond electoral ambitions or press statements. It should embody active engagement, policy alternatives, and robust critique of governance failures. Instead, personal ambitions, as seen in the cases of Ihedioha, Anyanwu and Amadi dominate the discourse.
Emeka Ihedioha, for instance, continues to enjoy public sympathy over his controversial removal from office as governor by the Supreme Court in 2020.
However, he should not rely on sympathy or the perception of Imolites as a victim of injustice. Such belief is gradually evaporating, especially in a state where citizens tend to align with present political realities, dynamics, and peculiarities. Without concrete actions to reinvigorate his political relevance, Ihedioha risks losing enormous political capital before the next election in 2027.
Sam Anyanwu, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle in reshaping public perception.Despite his urbane demeanor and commendable qualities, his tenure as National Secretary of the PDP has left many in Imo skeptical of his independence.
Anyanwu may be acting on his right and convictions, which is ideal, but he needs to convince Imolites that he is on a good cause and not someone seen as a political undertaker. The perception of him as a stooge for FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, allegedly working against the PDP’s interest, further erodes his standing.
Chima Amadi, meanwhile, has made significant strides in positioning himself as a key opposition figure through his TMO group, which actively critiques the policies and programmes of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration.
However, Amadi needs to recalibrate his posture. He is struggling to endear himself to Imolites, which is commendable, but he should strive to eliminate perceptions, even regalias, which remind Imolites of the dark days of the past.
For Imo’s opposition to become a formidable force, it must transcend individual aspirations and coalesce around a shared vision for the state. It must provide clear, actionable alternatives to Uzodimma’s policies and demonstrate genuine commitment to addressing the people’s concerns.
Ultimately, the opposition’s relevance will depend on its ability to adapt, innovate, and reconnect with the Imo electorate. As it stands, the emerging faces of opposition in Imo risk being seen as more focused on their ambitions than on delivering the change Imolites yearn for.
