Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has declared his intention to contest for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, a move that has sparked widespread speculation about his potential resignation before the end of his gubernatorial tenure.
The governor announced his senatorial ambition via a social media post on Sunday, May 10, 2026. This announcement comes barely two and a half years after he was sworn in as governor, leading many to believe he may step down early if he wins the Senate seat and intends to be inaugurated into the 11th National Assembly in June 2027.
Uzodimma previously served as a senator for two consecutive terms from 2011 to 2019. His decision to return to the Senate has drawn mixed reactions, with some observers suggesting he may be positioning himself for the Senate presidency.
Lawyer Questions Uzodimma's Plan
Barrister Misbau Lateef, a Nigerian lawyer and senior law lecturer based in the United Kingdom, expressed skepticism about the governor's potential resignation. In an interview with Legit.ng, Lateef stated: "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."
Lateef further noted that there is no legal barrier preventing a sitting governor from contesting for another elective office. He explained: "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."
Nigerians React to the Announcement
The governor's declaration has elicited strong reactions from the public. Helen Destiny commented: "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 criticized the governor: "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 commended the move: "Onwa!! Thank you for making the right move politically!" Meanwhile, Redeem advised: "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."
APC Governors Deny Sacking Uzodimma
In related news, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) denied reports that APC governors had sacked Uzodimma as its chairman. Folorunso Aluko, the forum's director general, dismissed the claim as false in a statement on Thursday, May 7. Earlier reports had alleged that 20 APC governors elected Uzodimma's counterpart from Enugu as the new chairman.
