The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, November 12, declared the incumbent Governor, Hope Uzodimma, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of last Saturday’s off cycle governorship election in Imo State. Uzodimma was announced the winner of the elections in each of the 27 local governments at the INEC collation centre in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

Checks revealed that the state registered about 2.42 million permanent voter’s card (PVC) holders for the 2023 general elections. Of the number, INEC stated that only 2, 318,919 persons collected their PVCs while 101,003 remain uncollected. Many attributed the scale of apathy to threats, and counter threats by agitators of Biafra Republic, and deepened insecurity in some communities of the state.

“We are just coming out of a two-week sit-at-home ordered by a group of Biafra agitators. In these two weeks, our people barely went to their farms or went to the market. Even though it is not in our interest, you have to obey them because if you contravene their order, you may lose your life. Many people have been killed here”, revealed a resident, adding, “When they notice that you are going against their order, they will not confront you but in the night, they will invade the person’s residence and kill him. That is the situation we have found ourselves in”.

The governorship election, which returned Governor Hope Uzodimma as winner with 540,308 votes as announced by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Abayomi Fasina, showed that over 680,000 voters voted in the election.

Uzodimma, was declared winner with an overwhelming and wide margin of score of 540,308; defeating his distant opponent, Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had 71,503 votes. The Labour Party (LP), candidate, Athan Achonu, came third position, scoring 64,081. There were 18 candidates in the contest.

Uzodimma scored the highest number of votes and the majority votes in all the 27 Local Councils of the state, satisfying the constitutional requirements.

Ironically, Uzodimma, defeated both Anyanwu and Achonu, in their local councils.

While the governor scored 22,356 votes in Ikeduru local council (Anyanwu’s local council); the PDP’s candidate had 7,258 votes. The deputy governor of the state, Prof. Placid Njoku, hails from tbat local council.

In the case of the LP standard bearer, Achonu, Uzodimma, also defeated him in his local council, Ehime Mbano, with 6,632 votes over the former who had 4,958.

Uzodimma, also scored 67,315 in his local council (Oru East), defeating Anyanwu and Achonu, who had 3,443 and 2,202 votes respectively.

Whereas opposition parties in Imo have alleged gross violation of the rules set by the INEC, especially the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), vote buying and incidents of over-voting during the election, other factors such as incumbency, performance and weak opposition have been identified to have contributed to Governor Uzodinma’s landslide victory.

Weak Opposition

Weak opposition no doubt contributed to the poor showing of the opposition parties and their candidates in the just concluded polls in Imo State. To start with, no fewer than 17 candidates from the various political parties contested against the incumbent Governor Hope Uzodimma of the ruling APC. Majority of the candidates were not visible in the political arena, while just a few boasted a chance to challenge the incumbent. They include Major General Lincoln Ogunewe (rtd)of the Action Alliance, AA; Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP; and Senator Athan Achonu of the Labour Party, LP.

PDP’s Anyanwu battled with the internal and external challenges of losing the state executive of the PDP to the ruling APC when seven of the PDP executives joined the APC, while on the other hand, former governor of the state Emeka Ihedioha’s men also dumped Anyanwu. They went to different parties.

In the case of AA’s Ogunewe, he came with high expectations and was favoured to be the governorship candidate of the Labour Party. The sentiments of the Obidients were with him. But he lost the LP ticket to Senator Achonu. Ogunewe moved to AA and became its governorship candidate. Some Obidients were said to have followed him and some of the governorship aspirants stepped down for him.

Meanwhile, the candidate of the LP, Athan Achonu, has called for cancellation of results of polling units where there were what he described as disturbing reports of hijacking of ballot boxes, other electoral materials, and vote buying.

In the same vein, the candidate of the PDP, Samuel Anyanwu rejected the election and its outcome and called for cancellation of the entire process, following alleged irregularities.

The candidate of APGA, Tony Ejiogu, alleged high levels of vote-buying by the agents of APC during the election.

‘Reward for Hardwork’

But the re-elected governor, Uzodimma, gave thumbs up for the conduct of the election. Uzodimma said he dedicated his victory to God and loyal Imo citizens, electorate and residents who stood behind him.

“This victory is very dear to me because it is vindication that the same God who did it before will do it again”, he said during a thanksgiving service in Owerri, the state capital, a day after the election, “My good people of Imo State, I am humbled and honored by your overwhelming support in yesterday’s election. Your trust in me to continue leading our dear State is both inspiring and deeply appreciated. Together, we have achieved a resounding victory and I am committed to delivering on the promises made during our campaign”.

Dismissing allegations of election malpractice and irregularities by the opposition parties, the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, rather attributed the victory of Governor Uzondinma in the just concluded election in Imo state to his unwavering dedication, hard work, and the trust the people of Imo State have placed in the governor because of his giant strides in the last 4 years. He said it was a clear indication that the people of Imo State recognized and appreciated the positive impact that the APC has on their lives and the development of the state, going forward.

Ubah stressed that Uzodinma’s leadership qualities, vision and commitment to the welfare of the people have been evident throughout his campaign. While also opining that his ability to connect with the citizens of Imo State and address their concerns has undoubtedly played a crucial role in securing his victory.

It is noteworthy that as part of the strategy to ensure his victory in the election, sources revealed that Governor Uzodimma had invested in what was termed “Smart Election Management Operations Systems”.

Besides ensuring significant legwork by an army of supporters at different layers of the political spectrum, the governor hired election management experts from across Africa for technical advice and for community focused, direct-to-voter engagements which achieved contact with at least 800,000 voters.

Uzodimma, is expected to be sworn in for a second tenure in January 15, next year.

Njoku, a freelance journalist writes from Owerri