The 2028 governorship race in Imo State has already taken on the contours of a high-stakes political thriller, three years before the ballot is cast.
At its center is Governor Hope Uzodimma—his strategic silence, carefully chosen words, and an enigmatic body language that have left political players across the state in a fever pitch of speculation.
The governor first ignited controversy in March 2025 when stakeholders from Owerri zone paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Owerri.
During that meeting, Uzodimma, in a statement that many now consider pivotal, declared: “Governorship is not turn by turn”.
That remark marked a sharp departure from his earlier position in 2023 when, shortly after his re-election, the Imo State Council of Elders presented him with the Charter of Equity—a document designed to ensure rotational power sharing among the state’s three zones.
At the time, Uzodimma publicly endorsed the Charter and presented it to the Church, fuelling expectations—especially in Owerri zone—that 2028 would be their turn.
But as political developments unfold, hopes in Owerri are increasingly giving way to fears.
Pro-Owerri groups like the Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC), Owerri Leaders of Thought, Imo Harmony Project, Owerri Zone Mandate and the Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF) have stepped up agitation.
They insist the Charter of Equity must guide Uzodimma’s succession plans to end Orlu zone’s 24-year dominance of the governorship.
“This Charter was conceived to bring justice and stability to Imo politics. To abandon it now would be nothing short of betrayal,” said Emmanuel Okwu, President of OZAC, in one of his press statements.
Yet, a growing school of thought fears the governor’s recent utterances and political maneuvers are signaling a different direction.
Though no group has openly declared support for Orlu zone to retain governorship beyond 2028, pro-Orlu organizations like the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA) have been vocal in opposing the Charter of Equity.
“This is classic Uzodimma—keeping everyone guessing. But make no mistake, his final choice will serve his political survival first,” observed Mr.Uche Nwokeji, a newspaper columnist.
Outside the ruling APC in the State, opposition heavyweights like former governor Emeka Ihedioha, Chima Amadi, and PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu are quietly building networks and plotting comebacks. These politicians, unencumbered by zoning sentiment, are reportedly bent on winning in 2028, believing popular support and coalition-building will secure them victory at the guber polls.
However, Uzodimma’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Perry Opara dismissed the opposition’s chances while speaking to APC councilorship aspirants at Government House, Owerri.
“ADC is dead on arrival in Imo. They will not fly,” Opara declared, underscoring the APC’s confidence in retaining power in 2028.
Greg Ibe, an Imo born Abuja-based political strategist, told INNONEWS that Uzodimma faces a delicate balancing act.
“He needs a successor loyal enough to shield him post-tenure but also strong enough to win an election. Governors across Nigeria have failed in this game, and Uzodimma knows he must tread carefully.” Ibe said.
Adding another layer of complexity is Uzodimma’s push for state creation. His advocacy for Anim State—potentially carved from parts of Orlu and Anambra—has sparked speculation that Orlu’s political relevance may weigh heavily in his succession calculus.
Stanley Ekezie, a public affairs commentator, says Uzodimma’s style has turned succession politics into a chess game in Imo.
“Even his closest allies admit they don’t know his mind. That secrecy is both his strength and his biggest gamble.” Ekezie told this newspaper in Owerri.
The historical jinx of outgoing governors failing to install successors also looms large in Imo.
Achike Udenwa’s failed bid to hand over to his preferred choice, Charles Ugwu in 2007 and Rochas Okorocha’s collapsed plan to install Uche Nwosu in 2019 remain cautionary tales for Uzodimma.
Meanwhile, OZAC, one of the groups campaigning for an Imo governor of Owerri zone extraction warns of “an unfolding conspiracy” to truncate Owerri zone’s governorship bid.
“We are not political slaves in a state we co-own.* Okwu had declared.
As 2028 draws closer, one question remains: Will Uzodimma break Imo’s succession jinx, pacify zoning agitators, and protect his legacy—or will he gamble on continuity and risk igniting a political storm?
