With three years to the 2027 governorship election, political conversations are already dominating spaces across Imo State. From the streets of Owerri to the markets of Orlu and the villages of Okigwe, residents are already weighing which political party has the strength and staying power to secure Douglas House in 2027.
INNONEWS reporters spoke with party loyalists, political observers, and voters to gauge the prevailing political mood in the state.
The early picture suggests a potential three-way contest involving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the fast-emerging African Democratic Congress (ADC).
For the PDP, once the dominant political force in the state, its past victories remain a reference point. From 1999 to 2011, the party governed under Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim. In 2019, Emeka Ihedioha’s short-lived victory rekindled PDP’s stronghold, with the party clinching the majority in the House of Assembly and National Assembly seats.
However, the PDP of today in Imo faces significant challenges. The defection of key figures such as Ihedioha to the ADC has shaken its foundation.
“The PDP is bleeding in Imo. We need to re- strategize strongly,” said Ms Nnenna Ugwudi, an aggrieved party stalwart in Owerri Municipal.
Still, some argue the party’s grassroots networks remain robust.
“We may have lost big names, but the soul of the PDP is intact at the grassroots. With unity, we can rise again,”*insisted another party chieftain, James Nwosu in Orlu.
Political analysts estimate PDP’s current acceptance rating at about 60 percent—a decline from its former dominance but sufficient to remain a major contender in 2027.
The APC, currently in power, has enjoyed an extended hold on the state since then Governor Rochas Okorocha’s defection in 2015 from APGA and Hope Uzodimma’s Supreme Court-backed rise in 2020.
With control of all 27 local government areas, 306 wards, and a firm grip on the state legislature, the APC’s political machinery appears formidable.
Governor Uzodimma’s administration is credited with achievements, particularly in road construction and rehabilitation. Yet, analysts warn these gains may be overshadowed by widespread economic hardship and frustration fueled APC-led Federal Government policies.
“The roads are good, especially some of the federal roads- Owerri- Umuahia road, Owerri- Okigwe road, Owerri- Orlu road, but people in the state are feeling strangulated by the economic situation in the country foisted on them by an APC President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That will weigh on their minds in 2027,” said Mr. Ebere Stanley, a trader at Ekeukwu Owerri Market.
Mr. John Igwe, a political commentator in Okigwe, added, “The APC cannot rely on incumbency alone. Rising fuel prices and inflation are biting hard, and that could tilt voter sentiment in 2027. Except something impressive happens in the economy now, 2027 will be a hard nut for the ruling party to crack. This is the simple and honest truth”
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, meanwhile, has become the unexpected factor in Imo’s political calculations. With national figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Nasir El-Rufai involved in its coalition, and Ihedioha’s defection in Imo adding momentum, the party is drawing attention.
“If Peter Obi carries the presidential ADC flag, it could trigger a political shake-up in Imo,”* observed Chinyere Nwafor, a lecturer at IMSU.
She continues “But without Obi, there’s a risk of it being perceived as a shelter for former defectors and majority of our people will shy away from it in 2027.
Youth groups and civil society actors are increasingly leaning towards alternatives, with some seeing ADC as a possible vehicle for change. Whether this growing interest will translate into votes in 2027 remains to be seen.
As alliances evolve and rivalries deepen, Imolites are closely watching political developments. For many, the stakes are high, and the choices by the parties ahead will shape a lot of political dynamics.
INNONEWS observed that with three years still on the clock, the Imo political landscape remains fluid. But one thing is certain: 2027 will not be an easy race for any party as the electorate’s expectations and frustrations grow louder.
