Imo: Tension as Uzodinma, Achonu, Anyanwu scramble for 2.3 million votes

Lack of safety and confidence in the electoral process have created concerns regarding the participation of eligible voters in today’s election in Imo State.

InfoStride News claims that for over three years, unknown gunmen and other non-state actors have been operating in Imo. This is a huge concern for the outcome of the election today.

According to INEC, 2,419,922 voters were registered for the election, and of those, 2,318,919 had already gotten their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

There are seventeen candidates running to succeed incumbent Governor Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who is running for reelection.

However, only two of these opponents pose significant threats to his re-election. The three major candidates are expected to split the state’s 2.3 million votes, according to projections made by experts in state politics and economic growth.

According to Prof. Uche Amadi, a university lecturer, insecurity and distrust in INEC are the two main causes of voter apathy. The voter turnout will be low, he stated, for two primary causes: “the people may not want to risk their lives coming out to exercise their franchise, especially in crisis-ridden areas of Orsu, Orlu, Oru-east, Okigwe, Ehime-Mbano, etc., where several cases of killings, kidnappings, arson, and other vices have been recorded.”

The electoral umpire, he continued, is widely seen as corrupt, and the APC will be declared the winner. Uzodinma, Labour Party (LP) Senator Athan Achonu, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Samuel Anyanwu are considered the frontrunners among the 17 candidates for governor of Imo State. Imo residents saw Senator Achonu, the LP’s gubernatorial candidate, as a strong rival who may benefit from Obi’s goodwill and popularity.

An other moniker for Achonu is “One Arm General.” His ‘aku ruoulo’ (invest home) policy has led to the establishment of numerous industrial farms, putting him in the lead among his competitors for the title of largest investor in Imo State.

Because of its involvement in causing instability, Achonu thinks the local government should get involved. Achonu asserted that Imo is part of the Labour Party because of the state’s overwhelming support for presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi. Obi and Alex Otti, governor of adjacent Abia State, recently visited Owerri’s Kanu Nwankwo Sports’ Complex in an effort to bolster Achonu’s candidacy. Samdaddy, People’s Democratic Party Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is also campaigning hard to keep the Imo seat for the PDP.

Sen. Anyanwu declared his confidence in his ability to defeat Gov. Uzodinma. He has served as a senator, representative, local government representative, and political party leader, giving him more experience than the other candidates. His PDP party is both an advantage and a disadvantage for him in politics. The community is still hurt that Chief Emeka Ihedioha lost, thus they refuse to assist him.

Governor Uzodinma currently enjoys the backing of the majority of party chieftains in the Owerri zone, which comprises his senatorial district.

Barr Stanley Emana, a political analyst based in Owerri, says the attack on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Owerri is terrible news for the governor. In the coming hours, we’ll see whether candidates are capable of advancing past these difficulties.