Former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has accused his successor, Hope Uzodinma, of undermining development in the South-East through what he described as an excessive pursuit of political power at the expense of effective governance.
Okorocha levelled the allegations during an appearance on Arise Prime Time, where he questioned Uzodinma’s leadership priorities and accused him of concentrating more on securing political positions than addressing the needs of the people.
“There is only one problem in the South-East, and that is Hope,” the former governor declared.
He argued that Uzodinma’s alleged desire to occupy multiple influential political positions, including governor, senator, vice-chairman and chairman of different political organisations, had distracted him from the responsibilities of governing Imo State.
Urging the incumbent governor to concentrate on his constitutional duties, Okorocha said, “Sit down, govern for God. Sit down and govern your people,”
The former governor further alleged that Uzodinma’s determination to maintain political dominance had become excessive, claiming that the governor would place the preservation of his political influence above the interests and welfare of the electorate.
Beyond his criticism of the governor’s political ambitions, Okorocha also made allegations of violence and intimidation, recounting an incident at a hotel owned by his wife, where he claimed armed men opened fire.
According to Okorocha, his in-law was hit by a bullet during the alleged attack, sustaining an injury to the leg that reportedly required eight months of medical treatment in the United States.
He also narrated another alleged incident involving a political figure he identified as a former electoral opponent of Uzodinma, claiming the individual was handcuffed and taken away after attending a church service.
Okorocha maintained that such incidents were among several cases of alleged violence that had occurred in Imo State since the commencement of Uzodinma’s administration.
However, the claims made by the former governor could not be independently established from the interview excerpt available.
The latest remarks underscore the lingering political friction between Okorocha and his successor, as the former governor continues to question Uzodinma’s leadership style, governance priorities and handling of political opposition in the state.
Court Orders INEC to Recognise Okorocha as APC’s Imo West Senatorial Candidate
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has reportedly removed Governor Hope Uzodimma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, directing that Okorocha be recognised in his place.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish Okorocha’s name as the party’s duly nominated candidate for the senatorial constituency.
Okorocha, who previously served as Imo State governor, had also represented Imo West in the Nigerian Senate.
The court further directed Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, a platform comprising governors elected on the APC platform, to stop presenting himself as the party’s senatorial candidate for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Additionally, the judge instructed the APC to submit Okorocha’s name to INEC as its official candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District in the forthcoming general elections.
The ruling marks another significant development in the political contest surrounding the representation of Imo West, potentially deepening the existing political rivalry between the two prominent politicians.
