It is important to face the reality, state the facts and be truthful at all times. The last November 11, 2023 Imo governorship election that saw the then candidate of APC and current Governor and Governor-elect of Imo state, Sen Hope Uzodimma being declared as the winner of the election could not have been anything different with certain factors in place. I had written before the election that the pendulum of victory was swinging towards Sen Uzodimma and that I did not see any seriousness in the candidature of other parties before the election.
I had also insisted that election is not won on the basis of propaganda nor by mere purchasing of governorship nomination form. A candidate that has the possibility of winning election is known before the election through his/her coordinated campaign, public acceptability, organic strategy and visible structure. You must also see the candidate’s blue print of action, strategic pathway, conspicuous achievements in the position(s) held before or the position the person is holding and you must equally see the believability in the candidate’s promises.
Now, in the case of Governor Hope Uzodimma, he campaigned more than any other candidate in the election. He was everywhere across the state campaigning and had others who believe in him doing campaign for him in every booth, ward and LGA. Unarguably, Governor Hope Uzodimma was the only candidate that stepped his campaign down to the booths level where he had booth executives. He practically localized his campaign and it paid off. .
Again, Sen Uzodimma has things he has done as a Governor by way of achievements that were to his advantage. However, while others were promising what they would do if elected. Governor Uzodimma was pointing at the things he has already done and telling people the ones he would do more. It is easier for people to believe him than any other person. After all. a bird at hand worths more than thousands in the bush.
Governor Uzodimma has the structure more than any other candidate and this is the truth. Election is about human beings.. in addition, he contested from a party that is not in crisis unlike others that had factions that worked against their candidate. They say that a ‘House that is divided among itself cannot stand. There was no unity in other parties except in APC.
The icing on the cake was the Charter of Equity that has gained serious currency in Imo state. The truth is that the Charter of Equity as enunciated by Imo Elders Council is a master stroke for the Governor’s victory because over 90% of Imo people desire for a seamless transfer of power and rotational governorship seat amongst all the three zones of the state. And it is an incontrovertible fact that the charter of Equity can only become workable if only it gets the buy-in of the Governor and to this extent, everybody was in an agreement that the Governor needed to be supported so that Imo state will be on the right track for power to be transfered to another zone in 2027. So this worked for the Governor in no small measure.
Finally, the achievements of the Governor was a selling point for him. Indeed, many people believe and rightly too, that the giant strides of the Governor especially on road infrastructure in his first tenure got him endeared to the hearts of Imo people and it was natural that he was voted by Imo people. The Governor brought quality in road construction in Imo unlike the hitherto situation where Imo roads were described as ‘China roads’ including installing street lights in every road constructed.
Above all, God is the ultimate decider as He alone decides the fate of all human affairs. Power, comes from Him and He gives to whoever He wishes and at a times He chooses. At this time, He gave to Governor Uzodimma.
So, in effect, Governor Hope Uzodimma’s victory was expected, well deserved and succinctly in order. There is no ambiguity as to why he should win. No one else could have won other than the Governor given all that had been listed above and more.
Truthfully Yours, Nwamkpa Modestus is my name and I approve of this piece.