If the ruling of the Supreme Court, which Philip Umeadi SAN, is still contesting, is anything to go by, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, not Senator Hope Uzodinma, won the 2019 Imo State Governorship election.
Recall that the Supreme Court, had disqualified Uche Nwosu, for holding dual candidacy of the All Progressives Congress APC, as well as the Action Alliance AA.
It is on the strength of that ruling, that Philip Umeadi SAN, approached the court, in a matter yet to see light of day, to get proper interpretation of the ruling.
But Uche Nwosu despite the setback, Uche Nwosu may still have another chance, to occupy the seat, his father-in-law, and Senator representing Orlu zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha, once sat on.
In Imo today, there is heightened doubt, if Senator Hope Uzodinma would be seeking a second tenure in office, and whether he would be the best option for the APC, judging amongst other things, his handling of the security situation in the state, that have practically pitted the people against his administration.
The manner in which he emerged, hadn’t gone down well with the people of Imo State, who are yet to forgive or forget about it, and his current style of handling issues, haven’t helped matters, rather made things worse.
Political pundits are of the view, that the APC may have to start shopping for a new candidate in 2023.
Some political analysts are of the view, that the APC might look towards Okigwe for a replacement, with the name of the junior minister for education, Hon Emeka Nwajiuba, a close ally of Senator Hope Uzodinma, mentioned severally in that regard,
Even though there have been assumptions, that Nwajiuba might be eyeing the Aso Rock seat, if APC will go for a president from the Southeast, many political watchers, are of the view that he might not possess the required political weight, to displace the likes of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or Gov. Tambuwal, if either men picks the Peoples Democratic Party PDP ticket.
For them, Nwajiuba would be a perfect fit, if Uzodinma doesn’t succeed in salvaging his image before 2023.
However, another school of thought believe that Uche Nwosu, may stand a better chance at getting the ticket in 2023, than Nwajiuba.
They sight the fact, that by the time Imo elections would be holding, President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime would be over, and Nwajiuba may not be able to pull the weight he pulls today in the party.
With political enemies such as Senators Rochas Okorocha, and Ifeanyi Araraume circling Nwajiuba and Uzodinma, it might not be easy for Uzodinma, or even Nwajiuba to get the party’s ticket.
The Okigwe Senate By-election, despite the defeat suffered by Araraume, showed Uzodinma and Nwajiuba, that Araraume wasn’t a push over.
With President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure coming to an end before Imo elections, the national leadership of the party, which seems to back Nwajiuba today, because of his closeness to the president, might not be easily swayed, of Okorocha and Araraume present a better argument.
Araraume might still be eyeing the top job as govenror of Imo State, but political analysts, are of the view, that sending Uche Nwosu to the battle, with Okorocha and Araraume backing him, can afford the party a better fighting chance, against whoever the PDP presents.
Nwosu have been solidifying his relationship with Imo people since after the election, making himself open and available to the people.
Despite knocks over the maladministration of his father-in-law, Uzodinma has still failed to be a better and accepted substitute to the people than Uche Nwosu.
