Fresh questions are being raised within Imo State’s political space over the increasing number of governorship aspirants emerging from Orlu zone on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The development is attracting attention largely because of the much-publicised Charter of Equity, which Owerri zone has consistently advanced as the moral and political basis to end what it describes as its systemic marginalisation in the governorship of the state since 1999.
Despite this, more political actors from Orlu zone are openly positioning themselves for the 2027 governorship race, a trend that has reignited debates within party and non-party circles over zoning, equity and elite consensus within the ruling party.
The first indigene of Orlu zone to publicly indicate interest in the governorship race is Mr Charles Orie. Although his ambition was initially dismissed in some quarters, political observers say Mr Orie has since intensified consultations, engaging key stakeholders across the state and consolidating support within relevant political structures.
Political sources also disclosed to INNONEWS that more governorship aspirants from Orlu zone are expected to join the race in the coming months, including a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly who also served as a junior minister at the federal level.
This development has revived a long-standing question in Imo politics.Why are more Orlu sons flooding the governorship race when the zone has governed the state more than any other since the return to democracy in 1999.
By the time Governor Hope Uzodimma completes his second term in 2028, Orlu zone would have held power for about 24 years. In contrast, Owerri zone has governed the state for only about seven months since 1999, a disparity critics say undermines the spirit of equity often referenced in Imo’s political discourse.
Against this backdrop, some political analysts are questioning whether influential stakeholders in Orlu zone are opposed to an Owerri zone governorship bid in 2027 or whether the current situation reflects a vacuum created by silence within the fold of some stakeholders in the APC in Owerri zone.
Within the APC, no prominent politician from Owerri zone has formally declared interest in the governorship race. Most of the potential aspirants are either studying Governor Uzodimma’s body language or waiting for him to anoint a successor from the zone.
Outside the APC, former governor Emeka Ihedioha and Mr Chima Amadi, both from Owerri zone, remain the only major non-APC figures who have publicly shown interest in the 2027 governorship race.
Two political analysts, Emeka Uche and Benedict Nneji, who spoke to INNONEWS separately in Owerri , expressed concern over the apparent reluctance of Owerri APC stakeholders to step forward. They warned that waiting for the governor’s endorsement could weaken the zone’s bargaining power and urged aspirants interested in the contest to step forward.
According to them, the earlier Owerri zone APC aspirants with governorship ambitions openly declare and engage the political process, the better for the zone’s quest to produce Governor Uzodimma’s successor, noting that leaving the political space entirely to Orlu zone APC aspirants is neither strategic nor ideal.
