Governor Hope Uzodimma has officially declared his intention to contest for the Imo West Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
The Imo State governor announced his decision in a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, saying he accepted the call to represent the people of the district once again with “humility and sincerity.”
According to him, he has already presented himself before the leadership of the Bola Tinubu-led ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, and the party’s screening committee for the National Assembly primary election.
Uzodimma, who previously represented Imo West in the Senate between 2011 and 2019, said his decision to return to the National Assembly was driven by the desire to support the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu through effective legislation and quality representation.
His entry into the Senate race has, however, sparked fresh discussions over his future as governor, as his second term in office is expected to run until January 2028, while the next Senate will be inaugurated in June 2027.
The development has also revived reports suggesting the governor may resign before the end of his tenure to fully pursue his senatorial ambition.
Sources had earlier claimed that plans were underway for Uzodimma’s deputy, Chinyere Ekomaru, to step aside for the appointment of a new deputy governor who could later assume office if the governor resigns.
Although Ekomaru’s office denied reports of her resignation, describing them as false and misleading, political observers believe the latest Senate declaration may further fuel speculation surrounding the governor’s next move.
Uzodimma will battle for the APC ticket alongside former Imo governor Rochas Okorocha and incumbent senator Osita Izunaso, who are also interested in representing the district in the Senate.
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