It’s no longer news that Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has announced his interest in contesting for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The governor, who announced his senatorial ambition in a social media post on Sunday, May 10, was days ago declared winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
His victory comes amid rumours that the governor was nursing an ambition to become the Senate president. Uzodimma had served in the Senate for two consecutive terms, between 2011 and 2019.
His entry into the Senate race comes two years and four months after he was Inaugurated as the governor of Imo, suggesting he may have to resign if sworn in as a member of the 11th National Assembly should he win his senatorial election.
Nigerian lawyer speaks on Uzodimma’s senatorial ambitionÂ
However, Barrister Misbau Lateef, a Nigerian lawyer and senior law lecturer based in the United Kingdom, in an interview with Legit.ng, expressed pessimism that the governor would resign to join the Senate come June 2027 when the 11th Senate would be inaugurated.
He said: “Could he be planning to resign as Governor and hand over to his deputy in June 2027 just to join the Senate inauguration? I doubt this very strongly. Nigerian politicians are not that selfless or responsible.”
At the same time, the lawyer explained that there is no law that prohibits the governor from contesting for another elective position while in office.
“There is no provision in the 1999 Constitution or the Electoral Act 2026 that bars a sitting governor from contesting for a different political office (such as the Senate) before the expiration of their tenure.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have reacted as Uzodimma won his primary paving the way for a return to the red chambers.
Below are some of their comment: Helen Destiny explained the governor’s game: “Oga you are someone who is married and yet wants to go and marry another person. You even fought to marry and just after 7 years and 3 months you are tired. You are the governor, you still want to be a senator. The desperation is terrible.”
Ubah Kenn Nnamdi criticised the governor for being desperate: “You are very desperate, so you can’t afford to stay government appointment after the expiration of your tenure which comes around early 2028. You are very greedy and I have to stop liking you for that. Why not allow other people to go to the senate? You are very greedy.”
Doyin Blazzer also commended saying: “Onwa!! Thank you for making the right move politically!”
Another comment by Redeem knocked the governor: “You’re getting it wrong now. Not only to the Imo West but to all of us in Imo State pls. Remember, you’re going to represent all of us not just Imo West.”
