The forthcoming 2023 governorship election in Imo State has created a sense of suspense and anxiety in the political sphere of the state as various gladiators jostle for the tickets of the different political parties. With the incumbent Governor, Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerging as candidates, the political landscape of the state is heating up. However, there is an intense battle for the ticket of the Labour Party (LP), and political watchers are wondering if the party can produce a candidate that can stop Uzodimma from seeking a second term.

The LP has 12 aspirants vying for the governorship position, with three from Imo North Senatorial zone, eight from Imo East Senatorial zone, and one from Imo West senatorial zone where the incumbent Uzodimma hails from. The LP Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi’s movement, has created political uncertainty in the state, with some wondering whether or not the party can produce a candidate that can compete with Uzodimma.

Meanwhile, APGA has not presented any governorship aspirant at the time of this report due to the outcome of the 2019 governorship primaries that were allegedly marred by injustice, rigging, and intimidation. The primaries produced Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who hails from Imo North senatorial district. Currently, only three parties, namely APC, PDP, and LP, are in the race for the Imo governorship election scheduled for November.

Uzodimma is from Imo West senatorial zone, which produced Governors Achike Udenwa and Rochas Okorocha. He is the only aspirant on the platform of the APC, while Senator Anyanwu is from Imo East senatorial zone, and he won the governorship primary of the PDP mid-week. However, the withdrawal of the former governor of the state, Emeka Ihedioha, from the governorship race citing injustice and unfairness in the party paved the way for Senator Anyanwu, the current national secretary of the PDP, to emerge as the PDP Imo governorship primaries winner.

Imo State governorship race is shaping up to be a tough battle, with various aspirants from different political parties vying for the position. The LP seems to be the party with the highest number of aspirants, and it remains to be seen whether any of them can pose a significant challenge to Uzodimma’s second term bid.