Pressure On Senator Hope Uzodinma To Drop Governorship Ambition

SENATOR UZODINMA

 Though he is yet to publicly declare his intention to aspire for the Imo governorship seat in 2015, Senator Hope Uzodinma, senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, is under pressure to forgo his governorship ambition and go for Orlu senatorial seat for a second term.

Uzodinma’s rumoured governorship ambition has rankled major political players in the PDP including governorship aspirants on the party’s platform.

A PDP chieftain (names withheld) who spoke to this blog on the matter described Hope’s ambition as “a major political earthquake that has altered the political calculations of political players and bloc in Imo State”


The fear of Hope’s ambition is premised on the basis that he has firm grip of the PDP structure in Imo State having financially sustained the party during its trying period till date.

Those close to the Omuma, Oru East born senator said he is however under pressure to let go the aspiration on the basis that it is the turn of Owerri Zone to produce the next governor of Imo State in line with the Imo Charter of Equity. It is unclear if the senator will bulge considering his latest political dance steps.

Followers of the senator has consistently stated that there is no objection to Hope’s governorship ambition, but rather a calculated campaign of calumny by loyalists of another governorship aspirant from Owerri Zone.

Owerri zone has strongly clamoured for the Imo governorship seat on the grounds that it is the only zone that has been shortchanged having held the seat of power for meager 22 months compared to Orlu and Okigwe zones that have collectively held onto power for more than 20 years.  It will be 24 years Orlu Zone will hold forte the affairs of the State if the incumbent Governor, Rochas Okorocha secures a second term.

A source said the senator was advised to quit on the basis that he stands a chance to win re- election to the senate than the Imo governorship contest because the mood of the State  currently favours Owerri zone for the plum job.

If the senator decides to go for the senate in Orlu Zone, he also the vaunting ambition of ThankGod Ezeani and philanthropist and billionaire, Chief Charles Idiga (JAFAC), to contend with.

However, Uzodinma is perceived to be marching on with his governorship aspiration having led some political leaders from Orlu Zone to have a political tete- a tete with leaders of Owerri Zone Political Leadership Forum, OZOPOLF recently.

 Details of the meeting were sketchy, but a source hinted this blog that it was a return visit by political stakeholders in Orlu Zone to Owerri Zone which the latter made sometime last year.

OZOPOLF is championing the cause of Owerri Zone to produce the next Governor of Imo State in 2015 but its perceived disposition to Uzodinma’s aspiration has raised concerns if the group has deviated from its cause because of political pecuniary gains or rather entered into a secret deal that will oil the perceived ambition of the senator.

 While the senator has not publicly said he is contesting for Imo governorship contest, some political interests in Owerri Zone are said to be averse to the idea in totality, while strong political foot-soldiers of the senator in Owerri and Okigwe zones say he has the constitutional right and the right political credentials to contest for any public office of his choice..