Imo Governorship: TJ Ehirim gathers momentum for 2027.

Imo State born politician, philanthropist, pharmacist and top community leader and democrat, Dr TJ Ehirim has declared his interest to run for the office of the governor of Imo State come 2027 when the state will hold her next governorship elections. Dr Ehirim made this known in an exclusive interview he had with the American correspondents of Umuaka Times over the weekend during his visit to the United States.

It can be recalled that in 2023, Dr Ehirim was among the top aspirants to the office of the governor of Imo State from the Labour Party extraction. Considering his youthful age, intellectual and academic backgrounds, as well as his business acumen and power of speech, Ehirim was able to convince a large number of Imo youths to support his political ambition in 2023. Even in the United States, many Nigerians who heard Ehirim speak totally fell in love with his speech delivery mechanism and his analysis of political events and developments in the state. As one commentator on national issues put it sometime in 2023, “In 2023, Dr Ehirim had already won the election in our minds. We were just waiting for the formalities before the political somersault.”

As Phil Collins would put it in one of his songs, “Something Happened on the Way to Heaven.”  When Dr TJ Ehirim, the foremost and youthful Imo politician stepped down on Saturday 15, April 2023 for another aspirant during the Labour Party’s governorship primary elections, many received the news with shock and despondency. This did not go down well with some of his followers as they could not understand why.  About a year later, Dr Ehirim explained to Umuaka Times in an exclusive interview why he dropped his ambition the way he did. About a year ago, Umuaka Times reported thus from the interview: “Ehirim told Umuaka Times that during the buildup to the rotation policy, on a certain day, he was called by H.E. Peter Obi who told him that he (Obi) was reliably informed that power had rested on the shoulders of Orlu politicians for the past 20 years and there was a need for power to rotate to other zones in the state.”

The report continued: “Ehirim after hearing this from Obi, thanked him for his concerns and reminded him that all the people of Imo State want is good governance from anyone no matter where he is from. “I also made him understand that the incumbent governor of the state is from Orlu and he was also in the race.”

Umuaka Times gathered that after several discussions, it was agreed that Labour Party would support Owerri Zone for the office of the governor of the state. “That was how and why I withdrew my ambition and supported an Owerri man,” Dr Ehirim disclosed to Umuaka.

Now as the preparations for Imo 2027 are seriously sparking up activities and a storm of conflicting political opinions in the state, Dr Ehirim has positioned himself once again for the big contest. A close political confidant of his who spoke with Umuaka Times from the United States last week confirmed that the great orator, philanthropist, pharmacist and administrator has taken a total of four years to prepare for the Imo top job.

Umuaka Times investigations showed that the 2027 Imo State governorship election is already generating significant interest among Imo politicians and stakeholders both in and outside Nigeria. It is seriously believed that interested politicians in Imo State are already positioning their chessmen on the political chess board of the state for the big contest. Here’s a breakdown of the current political landscape concerning some top potential aspirants for Imo governorship seat.

A former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is seriously believed to be seeking a return to the position, leveraging his one term experience of four years. His second advantage is said to be the Imo Charter of Equity, which advocates for rotational power sharing among the state’s three senatorial zones. Ohakim was sacked by Rochas Okorocha from the Douglas House Owerri in 2011.

Dr T.J Ehirim, a youthful, vibrant and highly intellectual politician of solid academic standard seems to be swimming above the sea level among all the aspirants. He is known for his dictum which says, “Let the best of us lead the rest of us. Dr Ehirim has a strong youth and diasporan support. He has a good knowledge of health and medical issues as well as his keen interest in political economy and his ability to generate wealth from the grassroots. Ehirim is an orator, a philanthropist and a major stakeholder among Nigerians doing legitimate business in South Africa.

Another Imolite believed to be seriously eying the Imo top job is Chima Amadi; a globally respected scholar and entrepreneur. Amadi is said to be building a reputation as a potential candidate with a clean slate and robust campaign machinery.

Charles Orie, a businessman who was appointed as the Managing Director of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ISOPADEC, By Hope Uzodimma is quietly consolidating his bid while banking on his record in community healthcare, infrastructure and skills acquisition programs in the state.

Another front runner is a billionaire businessman in the person of Mike Ejiogu. The big masquerade is believed to be interested in the position too. Ejiogu has made a bold entry into the race, utilizing his financial muscle to become the next Chief Executive Officer of Imo State.

Mbaise born top politician in the person of Emeka Ihedioha is also another aspirant who had a 7 month rule in the state that the people seem to be interested in his return. Ihedioha is said to be positioning himself for a comeback under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a new political party in the state that is making waves across the country.

AS 2027 draws nearer by the day, what seems to be in the mouth of every Imo lite is simple; “Let the best of us lead the rest of us.”