Political activities in Imo State are gathering pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major parties and political actors initiating early mobilisation that points to an increasingly competitive governorship race.
Two former governors of the state, Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha, have reportedly held separate political meetings with their loyalists, developments that have further heightened political speculations in the state.
Details of the two meetings were not disclosed, but political sources believe the engagements were linked to broader strategic positioning ahead of the polls.
Udenwa, who governed Imo State between 1999 and 2007, recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), a move widely seen as an effort to shore up support for his long-time ally, Emeka Ihedioha.
Ihedioha, a former governor and ex-deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, is expected to contest the 2027 governorship election on the platform of the ADC following his exit from the PDP. in 2023
Okorocha, who served as governor from 2011 to 2019, remains in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and is said to have convened his loyalists and supporters encapsulated in his political group, Rescue Mission
The specifics of Okorocha’s engagement remain unclear.
Across the state, the ruling APC has embarked on a registration and re-registration exercise of members across wards, an initiative party insiders described as part of a broader effort to galvanise the party and strengthen its grassroots base ahead of the elections.
The APC currently controls Imo State, with Governor Hope Uzodimma expected to complete his second term in office by 2027
In the PDP, the party’s national secretary and 2023 governorship candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently hosted party stakeholders in the state in Owerri.
Those who attended the meeting said Anyanwu assured party members of his continued commitment and support for the PDP, while denying claims that he was planning to defect from the party.
Beyond the major parties, other political actors are also stepping forward, reflecting the widening nature of the contest.
Mazi Chima Amadi, an Imo-born politician, has officially joined the Action Peoples Party (APP), where he has declared his intention to run for the governorship election in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Africa Democratic Congress intensified its mobilisation drive in the state. It recently held a fundraising event aimed at raising funds to prosecute the forthcoming elections.
With former governors reactivating political networks, ruling and opposition parties ramping up membership drives, and aspirants declaring intentions, the political temperature in Imo State is expected to rise steadily as the countdown to the 2027 elections continues.
