In a bold statement that is sure to stir the political waters, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has declared that the future of the Southeast region is best secured under the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking at a recent meeting of Southeast APC leaders in Enugu, the governor urged the region’s political heavyweights to drive home the message of the gains made under the APC-led administration.
Uzodimma, a staunch advocate for the ruling party, emphasized that Southeast’s interests are better protected by aligning with the APC rather than pursuing regional politics. He underscored the significance of mainstream political involvement, calling it the key to attracting tangible benefits and dividends of democracy to the region.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Uzodimma made it clear that the Southeast would be closer to the corridors of power by embracing the APC, citing the growing trend of sitting governors from other regions flocking to the party. “By joining the APC, which controls the government at the center and many sub-national governments, the Southeast will be very close to the corridors of power,” he stated.
The meeting, attended by prominent leaders including Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifru, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Chief Benjamin Kalu, and former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, saw the group unite behind the idea of making the APC the dominant party in the region.
Uzodimma, who also chairs the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), touted the increasing number of Southeast politicians joining the APC as a sign of the region’s potential within the national political arena. He highlighted that senior federal officials, including governors and members of the National Assembly, have embraced the APC, marking a significant shift in the region’s political landscape.
While this strategic move is seen as a way to solidify Southeast's role in Nigeria’s political future, critics argue that it could further divide the region and weaken its regional identity. Regardless, Uzodimma’s bold call for unity within the APC and the desire for the Southeast to be part of the mainstream political fold signals a shift that could reshape the region’s political trajectory in the coming years.
