Imo Governorship: Lady Ekomaru Is Uzodinma’s Running Mate, As Governor Appeases Women

By Charles Igbo

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has picked a female as his running mate. She is the very calm and beautiful Lady Nnedinma Ekomaru.

In the final list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,  for the November 11, 2023, Governorship election, Lady  Ekomaru’s name appeared in place of Ralph Nwosu, whose name was there as “Place Holder.”

The meaning, of course, is that the incumbent Deputy Governor, Professor Placid Njoku, is out of the race.

It is not known what recommended Lady Ekomaru to the Governor, but the general opinion is that she is a good choice.

In picking her, Uzodinma killed two birds with one stone.

Firstly, he showed his sensitivity to gender equality, especially, in a State where there has been a serious push for the accommodation of women in governance.

Secondly, the Governor was also sensitive to the feelings of the two major religious denominations in the State – the Roman Catholic and Anglican denominations. Currently, both Uzodinma and Njoku are Catholics. Lady Ekomaru is a core Anglican, and her choice balances the situation, and has been applauded by most people of the Anglican Communion.  Her beloved husband of many years, Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN, is the Registrar of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri.

Lady Ekomaru is not known to be a Politician. Her husband is the known Politician. He was a Commissioner in the Governor Achike Udenwa Government, and in the Imo Governorship Election, 2019, had aspired to be the Governor under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

She is from Mbaitoli area of Owerri Senatorial Zone.

There has been no official announcement of her choice at the time of going filing this report. But a source, very close to the Imo State Government, told this medium on inquiry: “Yes, she is the one. We are happy with her choice by the Governor.”