A group, Advocates for Good Governance in Imo (AGGI), has faulted the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, over his claim that it is his turn to govern Imo State.
The group, in a statement issued on Sunday in Owerri and jointly signed by its President, Godwin Uche, and Secretary, Samson Udeze, described Anyanwu’s comments as “political hallucination,” insisting that the governorship of Imo State is neither hereditary nor subject to any turn-by-turn arrangement.
The reaction followed remarks made by Anyanwu during the inauguration of the “Polling Unit Movement for Sam Daddy,” where he reportedly argued that since Ikedi Ohakim, Emeka Ihedioha and Hope Uzodimma, whom he described as his contemporaries in the old PDP, had all governed the state, it was now his turn to occupy Government House.
“We were four strong PDP men — myself, Hope Uzodimma, Ikedi Ohakim and Emeka Ihedioha. As God may have it, all the three have governed Imo State, remaining myself. I have come to take my turn and I believe other contestants will give way,” Anyanwu reportedly said.
But AGGI said the comments reflected a poor understanding of democratic principles and constituted an insult to the intelligence of Imo voters.
“Imo State is not for sale and its governorship is not hereditary. Nobody inherits the governorship because his associates or former political colleagues became governors. The office is neither an entitlement nor a family inheritance,” the statement said.
The group described Anyanwu’s suggestion that other aspirants should “give way” to him as an expression of political arrogance and an unhealthy sense of entitlement.
“Democracy is not a coronation exercise. The people reserve the exclusive right to determine who governs them. Nobody can wake up and announce that it is his turn to become governor simply because others have occupied the office.”
AGGI also dismissed Anyanwu’s claim that the PDP remained the most trusted party in the state, arguing that recent electoral outcomes had disproved such assertions.
According to the group, Imo voters owe Anyanwu no political obligation, particularly after what it described as the PDP’s poor performance in the 2023 governorship election.
“Following the internal crisis that engulfed the PDP and eventually led to the exit of former governor Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Anyanwu emerged as the party’s governorship candidate and subsequently led the PDP to one of its poorest electoral outings in Imo State,” the group said.
AGGI noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma secured re-election with a landslide victory across the state, while Anyanwu suffered a heavy defeat at the polls.
“His governorship bid recorded one of the PDP’s weakest performances in Imo State. The electorate rejected his candidacy. It is therefore difficult to understand the basis for his claim that the governorship is his turn.”
The group also accused Anyanwu of playing a role in the crisis that weakened the PDP nationally, alleging that the party’s decline coincided with the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his political allies.
“The dark period of the PDP began when personal interests overshadowed collective interests. Senator Anyanwu cannot distance himself from that unfortunate chapter,” the statement added.
AGGI said it was ironic that a politician allegedly linked to the crisis that weakened the opposition party would now seek to present himself as the preferred choice of Imo people.
“Imo people know those who have records of public service and those whose political careers have been marked by controversy and division. The future of the state cannot be mortgaged because of personal ambition.”
The group further argued that former governors Ikedi Ohakim, Emeka Ihedioha and incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma were elected on the strength of their individual records, political appeal and public acceptance.
“Imo people elected Ohakim, Ihedioha and Uzodimma because of their antecedents and the confidence voters had in them. Senator Anyanwu must tell Imo people what achievements and accomplishments qualify him to insist that it is his turn to become governor.”
AGGI also took exception to Anyanwu’s remarks on deploying agents to monitor polling units, stressing that elections are won through popular support rather than political rhetoric.
“The era of intimidating voters with political bravado has passed. Elections are won by convincing the electorate, not by claiming entitlement to power.”
The group urged Anyanwu to abandon what it described as the politics of entitlement and engage Imo people on issues of governance, economic development, infrastructure, job creation and security.
“Imo State does not belong to Senator Anyanwu. The people alone will decide who governs them. Democracy rewards competence, credibility and public trust, not entitlement or the false notion that the governorship of Imo State is anybody’s turn.”
The group maintained that the 2027 governorship election would ultimately be determined by the will of the people and not by political declarations of entitlement.
It added that Imo voters remain politically conscious and would resist any attempt to reduce the office of governor to a personal inheritance or a turn-by-turn arrangement.
