Leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State and stakeholders from Orlu Zone have intensified pressure on Governor Hope Uzodimma to contest for the Zones Senate seat, saying his return to the upper chamber would serve the interest of the state, the South-East and the country at large.
The appeal was made during a meeting at the party secretariat in Owerri where party leaders from Imo West Senatorial District presented Uzodimma as their preferred and consensus candidate for the zone ahead of the next senatorial election.
State chairman of the party, Austin Onyedebelu, said the demand from Orlu leaders was so strong that nomination and expression of interest forms had already been procured for the governor. He said the move reflected the collective wish of party members across the zone.
According to him, Uzodimma remains the most qualified figure to represent Orlu zone, insisting that his experience in governance and national politics places him ahead of any other potential aspirant from the zone.
The delegation was led by Nnamdi Anyaehie, who said the campaign urging the governor to return to the Senate was driven by public interest rather than personal ambition. He argued that Uzodimma’s presence in the National Assembly would strengthen legislative advocacy for Imo and the South-East.
Anyaehie said leaders across Orlu believe the governor possesses the network, experience and influence needed to attract federal attention to the zone while also supporting the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the centre.
Several speakers at the gathering cited Uzodimma’s previous stint in the Senate between 2011 and 2019, saying he demonstrated capacity, visibility and legislative relevance during his earlier years in the red chamber.
Deputy Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Amarachi Chyna Iwuanyanwu, was quoted as saying the governor had also transformed Imo since assuming office in 2020, adding that his leadership record made a compelling case for another national assignment.
The party also moved to discourage any rival ambition from the zone, urging members interested in the senatorial seat to step aside in view of what it described as overwhelming consensus in favour of Uzodimma. It said conducting a competitive primary in such circumstances would be unnecessary.
