2027: APC’s strategic inroad to South-east and Hope Uzodimma’s effort, by Henry Ikoh

The political exploit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East region up until now can least be described as a success.

It had remained a strong base for erstwhile ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

In recent time, from the advent of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, efforts are being made to solidly position APC as the foremost party to reckon with in the South East region.

This land mark breakthrough is credited to the efforts of the Executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma CON,
a vibrant democrat who have distinguished himself in political party management, grassroots mobilization and infrastructural development.

Senator Hope Uzodinma’s human managerial ability and good governance qualities earned him the trust of the APC Governors in the country and elected him as the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, a platform that enabled him discharge his dynamic leadership qualities which have impacted positively on the progress of the ruling party APC.

As the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma has been able to refocus the vision of APC as a truly national party for all Nigerians. Through his proactiveness he inspired confidence and optimism amongst party followers and by same attributes also he was able to influence opposition politicians to support President Tinubus reelection bid.

His political wittiness and foresight enabled the Imo State Governor to take steps to avert internal crisis within the party. This he achieved by supporting the NWC to convene National Executive Committee meeting of the party which made it possible to ratify the position of the National Chairman of the party to be domiciled in the North West geopolitical zone.

As the Chairman of the progressive Governors Forum, he synchronized with the National Executive Committee of the party to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by it’s National Chairman, Abdulahi Umar Ganduje, a gesture that laid the process for sustainable peace and unity in the National Party leadership structure.

In order to strengthen the peace process in the party across the country, Hope Uzodimma triggered the discourse for the setting up of a National reconciliation Committee by the National Working Committee to address all problems and appease all disaffectioned members of the party in every state. A bold and commendable move initiated to bring peace and stability within the party at the center and in the zones in preparedness for future elections.

The resultant advantage of that peace move in APC heirachy by Hope Uzodinma have made other members of opposition political parties that are currently being rocked by crisis to defect to the APC as an alternative attractive political party which has made efforts to put it’s house in order ahead of the 2027 elections.

In it’s trajectory of Progress, Hope Uzodinma in company of other APC Governors in the country supported and attended the APC National Summit held on the 22nd May 2025, at the presidential banquet hall, Aso Villa. A remarkable occasion that witnessed the Imo State born politician move a motion for the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Sole Candidate for APC in the 2027 presidential election.

The motion was seconded by the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani and unanimously approved by the members of the party’s National Executive Committee, Progressives Governors, National Assembly Principal officers, party leaders and stakeholders present at the summit.

Strategically, this move by Hope Uzodinma has laid to rest any future contest on who becomes the presidential candidate of the party and also it has further positioned the party to receive defectors and plan ahead for an inevitable victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC.

Hope Uzodinma’s political intelligence and dexterity is an unquantifiable asset to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and conversely, a nightmare to the opposition parties, causing them sleepless nights given his dynamic political nature.

The politicians and political parties in the South East region must be weary of his capacity, political ingenuity and his ability to manurever his political opponents which places him ahead of his rivals.

Feelers from the zone has shown majority of the leaders and politicians decamping to APC and pledging their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection. The defection trend according to political analysts is attributed to the tireless mobilization efforts of Hope Uzodinma who have severally vowed that APC will reclaim South East for president Tinubu.

Giving the peculiar nature of the South East zone, achieving APC’s target won’t come without it’s challenges.

Ironically, the means and extent at which Hope Uzodinma will deal with these challenges will depend on the cooperation he receives from the Presidency, National leadership of the party and relevant stakeholders in the South Eastern region.

His Excellency, the Imo State Governor, is an achiever who have demonstrated an ideal democratic governance model by exemplifying himself in service delivery through provision of dividends of democracy for the people of Imo State.
His administration is littered with records of successfully completed projects, social welfare services, security and empowerment programs for the people.

His resounding accomplishment is being attested to by series of awards bestowed upon him by various reputable organizations.

In recognition of his project strides in Imo State, Vanguard Newspaper conferred on His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, CON, GSSR, with the Vanguard Good Governance Award as the Infrastructure Governor of the Year 2025.

For being a completely detrabilized Nigerian, who fought to curb insecurity in the state and made Imo State a safe haven for all residents to live in peace, i recognition of his disposition to peace and unity, in the year 2022, Governor Hope Uzodimma bagged a peace award from the United Nations for his efforts at promoting inter-ethnic harmony in Nigeria and good governance in the state.

He raised the bar of qualitative health care service delivery in Imo State and was honoured for his exemplary leadership and impact in health insurance and management care.

Accountability and transparency was his guiding principles in projects awards, management and financing for which he was also honoured by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) for his outstanding performance in promoting fiscal transparency in governance.

His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma is a maverick politician, down to earth, focused and a strategic achiever.

A Nation builder who has spent his life time empowering and building men. He is Known for his simplistic humorous nature and always uniting people together.

Undoubtedly, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma is a bridge builder who has all it takes to unite the people of South East together to support the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.

Nigerians awaits to see the role and magic wands by Hope Uzodinma. The South East leaders should, therefore rally round His Excellency Sen Hope Ozuodinma to reposition South East for a better political feature.

There is hope in Hope.

*Chief Henry Ikoh*

Chairman Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri imo state and Former Minister of State Science and Technology.