The political landscape in Imo State is poised for further expansion ahead of the 2027 general elections, with strong indications that new political parties will enter the contest beyond the familiar platforms that have traditionally dominated the state.
For decades, Imo politics has largely revolved around the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and, more recently, the Labour Party (LP), whose emergence altered long-standing political calculations during the 2023 general elections.
The Labour Party’s entry into mainstream politics in Imo during the last polls marked a watershed moment, as it recorded what analysts described as a baptism of fire with far-reaching consequences for the state’s political configuration.
Riding on the popularity of its presidential candidate at that time, Peter Obi, the LP won the presidential vote in Imo State, defeating Bola Tinubu of the APC in a result that underscored the growing appeal of alternative political platforms not only in Imo, but across the South East.
Beyond the presidential contest, the party also secured the Owerri senatorial seat and won some seats in the House of Representatives, consolidating its position as a major political force and breaking the near-monopoly of older parties in the State.
Observers attributed the LP’s breakthrough largely to the “Obi wave” that swept across the South East in 2023, galvanising young voters and disenchanted electorates seeking a clear departure from established political structures.
The impact of the 2023 elections has continued to reverberate within Imo’s political circles, forcing traditional parties to reassess their strategies, alliances and grassroots engagement ahead of the next election cycle in 2027.
With preparations for 2027 gradually taking shape, indications have emerged that the political space in the State will widen further with the entry of new political parties into the Imo arena.
Prominent among the emerging platforms are the Action Peoples Party (APP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), both of which are believed to be positioning themselves to play active roles in the state’s political process.
However, the APP has not been without controversy, as a civil society group, the Centre for Africa Democracy (CAD), has reportedly called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the party.
Despite the criticisms, the APP’s strength in Imo State is yet to be fully ascertained, although indications suggest it has a presence across the state and is quietly building structures ahead of the 2027 polls.
The ADC, on its part, is emerging as another new force in Imo politics, drawing largely from individuals disenchanted with the traditional parties, particularly the PDP and APC, a development analysts say could further fragment the political field and intensify competition as 2027 approaches.
