In Imo State politics, fear rarely announces itself openly. It does not issue press statements. Instead, it reveals itself through calculated distractions, orchestrated media attacks and blackmail, shadowy threats, proxy litigations, vandalism, and relentless attempts to discredit emerging alternatives before they mature into serious electoral forces.
For many political observers across the state today, these familiar signs point unmistakably to Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi, erudite scholar, development advocate, business magnet, humanitarian and founder of The Mazi Organization (TMO), and leading governorship hopeful on the platform of the Action Peoples Party (APP).
Contrary to the dismissive posture adopted in some quarters of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s ruling establishment, the growing tension surrounding Dr. Chima Amadi’s political rise betrays deep anxiety.
Until recently, Dr. Amadi’s political build-up was met with guarded silence. That silence has now given way to an open mass movement and its attendant hostility.
In the last several months, there have been persistent and coordinated media attacks against Dr. Chima Amadi, within the Imo media space online and national platforms. These attacks, fronted by senior political appointees of the Hope Uzodinma administration, well-known political surrogates and often times anonymous, follow a predictable pattern – distortion of facts, threats, blackmail, malicious propaganda, questioning of motives, in a deliberate attempt to pitch Dr. Amadi against the Church, Igbo cultural values, traditional institutions and the larger Imo electorate.
The intention is clear, demonize him early, confuse the undecided, and poison the political well before 2027.
Political insiders agree that these attacks intensified when information filtered that he has secured the acceptance of the core Imo intelligentsia. These attacks were fired up immediately after the unveiling of the Action Peoples Party (APP) in Imo State as his platform to vie for the governorship election and the revelation that about 172,000 Imolites registered in the first phase alone. At that point, Dr. Amadi ceased to be dismissed as “one of many aspirants” and emerged as a clear and present danger to the ruling order.
More troubling, however, are credible reports of threats and intimidation, allegedly aimed at restricting Amadi’s political expansion and constraining his movement. In addition, APP billboards planted across the state have been vandalized and destroyed, allegedly by agents linked to the state government, an unmistakable sign that the battle has moved from rhetoric to physical suppression.
While Dr. Amadi has remained measured and disciplined, those close to him insist these actions are neither random nor coincidental, but part of a deliberate strategy to slow him down or break his momentum early.
This fear, ostensibly, is fueled by the fact that Governor Hope Uzodinma is widely believed to possess intelligence on Dr. Amadi’s capacity, insider reach, and political depth. Known himself as a master of political maneuvering and institutional leverage, Uzodinma reportedly understands that Amadi is no amateur and no outsider.
Indeed, Amadi’s insider capacity is said to be well known to the Governor. Their paths crossed at a critical moment in the past, and by accounts from those familiar with that encounter, Uzodinma reportedly could not hide his shock at what he saw and what he learned. That story, will be told in fuller detail in due course.
Within political circles, it is widely whispered that Dr. Amadi is far more connected than publicly assumed. He is linked to professional, institutional, electoral, and reform-oriented networks across critical corridors in Nigeria. This reality is believed to have informed Uzodinma’s alleged resolve to politically neutralize him, including accusations of sponsoring orchestrated litigations, intimidation, and internal sabotage aimed at weakening the APP, destabilizing its leadership, and making the party unattractive to potential allies.
One of the most consequential, yet least understood chapters of Dr. Amadi’s political journey played out before the 2023 governorship election.
Few Imolites are in the know that Dr. Amadi was among the very few who passionately persuaded former Governor Emeka Ihedioha not to withdraw from the race prior to the primaries. At the time, Amadi had already invested heavily in building a relationship with Ihedioha based on shared convictions around governance, institutional reform, and restoring Imo’s dignity, even when he had his reservations.
When Ihedioha eventually stepped aside, that decision reportedly cut deeply because it collapsed a carefully constructed political vision. That withdrawal, you would agree with me, created a near no-contest electoral environment, inadvertently clearing the path for Hope Uzodinma’s reelection. Clearly Dr. Amadi had his plans cut out but the rest is history. Though that political vacuum merely postponed the challenge to what we are witnessing.
It is important to note that Dr. Amadi’s political strength rests on structure, people, and competence.
Beyond the grassroots network of The Mazi Organization (TMO), it is public knowledge that Dr. Amadi is reportedly aligned, robustly by a new generation of seasoned political heavyweights and field-tested mobilizers. Figures such as Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo (OZB), former Deputy Speaker,Imo State House of Assembly and ex Federal Representative, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, Representing Ideato Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, former Majority Leader, IMO State House of Assembly, Labour Party candidate and presumed winner of the 2023 Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency seat, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Chief Henry Onwukwe, (Apiti) DG, TMO, former Solad, Owerri West LGA, an experienced Political chief, Hon. Ken Agbim, former Minority Leader, IMO State House of Assembly and Rt. Hon. Lawman Duruji, former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Chief Dennis Okwu (Sweet Apple) among other experienced operators.
They are widely regarded as among his men who understand mass mobilization, ward-level politics, and the brutal mechanics of winning elections in Imo State.
Unlike seasonal aspirants who surface only when elections approach, Dr. Amadi has built lasting credibility through nearly a decade of consistent humanitarian and structured empowerment programs across Imo State.
Through The Mazi Organization (TMO) and Jude and Julianna Foundation, he has championed ;
Practical youth empowerment through skills acquisition, mentorship and startup support; Women-focused economic initiatives, strengthening traders, cooperatives, and small businesses; Educational interventions, including scholarships and institutional support;
Community-based healthcare and social welfare assistance.
These are sustained interventions that have earned trust and loyalty at the grassroots. For many beneficiaries, Dr. Chima Amadi represents a rare leader who impacts lives long before asking for votes, a dangerous anomaly in a system built on transactional politics.
Another source of unease for the Uzodinma camp is Amadi’s growing acceptance among believers, youths and Imo women. The Clergy increasingly speak, directly and indirectly about competence, moral clarity and servant leadership. These values align closely with Dr. Amadi’s public posture. Imo women, historically decisive in elections, are drawn to his inclusive politics, respectful engagement.and empowerment-driven agenda.
Together, this coalition of faith, women, youth, and professionals represents the most formidable electoral force in Imo’s political history.
Further heightening tensions is the speculation that Mr. Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election could align with the APP, should national political realignments make such a move strategic, particularly if Mr. Obi does not secure the ADC presidential ticket.
Such an alliance would fundamentally alter Imo’s political equation. This looming possibility, it is believed, explains the ferocity of the attacks on the APP, the litigations, and the desperate attempts to brand the party as unstable and toxic, before it becomes a rallying point for a broader coalition. But an impeccable source, disclosed that the silence of the APP on the litigation is strategic as the leadership are in receipt of intelligence that the government is at a loss as to their status and wants to draw them out to disclose their status for possible negotiations.
Despite sustained attacks, intimidation, and surveillance, Dr. Amadi has remained calm, strategic and disciplined. Fully aware that his movements are being monitored and that powerful interests are bent on keeping him in check, he has chosen strategy and preparation rather than grandstand.
Those who know him insist he understands one immutable truth of Imo politics: the loudest politician rarely win.
Governor Hope Uzodinma has every reason to jitter over capacity backed by credibility and insider structure backed by numbers and results, reasons he bothers less about other aspirants.
Elemuo a journalist, writes from Owerri.
