Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State was on Saturday screened by the National Assembly Screening Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as he prepares to quit his governorship seat to contest election to represent Imo West Senatorial District in the 11th Senate.
The governor whose second tenure as governor of Imo State took off on January 15, 2024 is expected to complete his last term on January 2028. However, with his planned Senate ambition, he may resign from his current office to contest the National Assembly election on January 16, 2026 as scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Confirming his latest political maneuvers, Governor Uzodinma on Sunday in a statement declared that the people of Imo West have called on him to step into the Red Chamber of the National Assembly on their behalf.
He said, “My dear people of Imo West Senatorial District have once again called upon me to serve, and I have accepted this noble call with utmost humility, sincerity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to the collective advancement of our people.
“In furtherance of this responsibility, I presented myself before the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Screening Committee for the National Assembly Primary Election.
“During the engagement, I reaffirmed that the Senatorial seat I seek to occupy belongs first and foremost to our great party, while I remain only a loyal and dedicated candidate entrusted with the responsibility of projecting and advancing the ideals, vision, and aspirations of the APC to the very best of my ability.
“Our great party has continued to demonstrate steadfast commitment to purposeful leadership, people-oriented governance, and the delivery of democratic dividends across the nation. It, therefore, remains our collective duty to sustain and deepen this noble mission for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“My aspiration to represent the good people of Imo West Senatorial District at the Red Chamber is inspired by the desire to consolidate on the gains of the #RenewedHope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through quality representation, effective legislation, enhanced development, and sustainable progress for our people and our nation.”
Speculations have been rife as political pundits posit that the Imo State governor who is currently the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, the forum of governors elected on the platform of the ruling APC has reached an “agreement” with President Bola Tinubu for him (Uzodinma) to be elected the President of the Senate in June 2027.
His compatriot, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is also said to be angling for the National Assembly top position as he quietly plots to return as Abia North Senator.
The altercation in the Senate last week which saw the Senate reverse itself on the amendment of Orders 4 and 5 of the Senate rule, which would have shutout Hope Uzodinma and other second term (by 2027) senators was said to be related to the ambition of the Imo State governor.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio had rushed an amendment that made only lawmakers who were both in the 9th and 10th Senate eligible to contest for position of presiding officers. The amendment elicited disquiet in the Senate and within 24hours, the Senate reversed the amendment.