Orlu APC Leaders “Sack” Izunaso, Purchase Senate Form for Gov. Uzodimma, Beg Him to Represent Zone in 2027

By Charles Igbo 

In a move that, like the Holy Book puts it, “passeth all understanding”, the Orlu Zone Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has  gone down on its knees pleading with, and begging Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to represent the Zone, Imo West, in the Senate come 2027.

On Saturday, May 2, 2026, stakeholders from all the Local Government Areas in the Zone, in their thousands, gathered at the Owerri Party Headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, to tell members of the State Working Committee, SWC, that they purchased both the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for  the Governor.

One fallout from this action by APC Stakeholders in Orlu is that the incumbent Senator representing the Zone, Imo West District, Osita Izunaso, is on his way out of the Senate in 2027.

Izunaso, a ranking Senator and Governor Uzodinma go a long way in their political journey. Even though both are now political allies and good friends, they had fought, politically, on the opposite side of each other. Uzodinma came out on tops to become the Senator for Orlu West, an office earlier occupied by Izunaso.

However, when Uzodinma dumped the PDP for the APC, and fate finally threw the Governorship seat of Imo State at him, Izunaso contested again for the Senate seat, and replaced former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Now, however, in a twist of fate, Senator Uzodinma, whose tenure as Imo State Governor would end on January 14, 2028, is being put under  pressure by his people to contest for the Senatorial seat. By so doing, when, not if, he wins, it means that he would vacate the Governorship seat before the end of his tenure for the Senate.

National and State Assembly members are sworn-in in June – meaning June 2027. In Governor Uzodinma’s case, for him to be sworn-in in June, it means he would have to vacate the Governorship seat for his Deputy to be in charge until January 2028 when a new Governor will be sworn-in.

Incidentally, in the past one week, strong speculations are that his Deputy, Lady (Dr.) Chinyere Ekomaru, will resign, (or has already resigned) to give way to another who would run the affairs of the State in the event that Uzodinma caves in to the pressure and runs for the Senate. 

At the time of filing this story, Uzodinma has not made any statement on this pressure on him to run for the Senate.

However, one of his senior aides, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, issued the following statement on the event of Saturday.

“In a decisive political development that is already reshaping conversations across Imo State, leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Orlu Zone have formally urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to contest the Imo West Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

“The move, which followed a broad consultation among party leaders, political stakeholders, and grassroots coordinators across the twelve local government areas of the zone, was sealed with the purchase of both the nomination and expression of interest forms on behalf of the governor.

“Party sources confirm that the decision reflects a shared position within the APC structure in Orlu Zone, anchored on continuity, consolidation of ongoing development efforts, and the need to strengthen the zone’s representation at the National Assembly.

“A senior stakeholder involved in the process described the development as a collective resolve rather than a personal political project.

‘This decision is rooted in our assessment of leadership, experience, and the need to sustain the progress already achieved. The governor has demonstrated capacity, and we believe his presence in the Senate will further advance the interests of Imo West.’

“Across the zone, reactions have been swift. Youth groups, ward coordinators, and local political structures have begun mobilization efforts, aligning with what many describe as a strategic and timely intervention in the political direction of the district.

“Observers note that the early consolidation of support around the governor signals a rare level of internal cohesion within the party in Orlu Zone. It also positions the district as a key player in the broader political calculations leading into 2027.

“While Governor Uzodimma has yet to make a formal declaration, the message from Orlu is clear. The call is unified, deliberate, and backed by structure.

“What began as consultation has now crystallized into a firm political position. The next phase will depend on the governor’s response and the pace at which this momentum is translated into a full campaign structure.”