SPECIAL REPORT: Race for 2027 heats up as Orlu politicians position for senate, reps and assembly seats.

Political activities are gradually gathering momentum across Imo State as politicians begin to position themselves for the 2027 general elections. Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to release the official timetable for party nominations in some categories, consultations, endorsements, alignments and declarations have intensified, particularly in Orlu Senatorial District (Imo West). The zone, comprising 12 local government areas, has historically remained the political powerhouse of Imo State. Consequently, every election cycle attracts fierce contests among political heavyweights seeking to represent the district in the Senate, House of Representatives and Imo State House of Assembly.

While political parties are yet to complete their nomination processes, available information indicates that several aspirants have either emerged through party primaries or are actively consulting stakeholders ahead of the elections.

From Umuaka Times investigations, the battle for Orlu senate seat is perhaps the most closely watched contest is the race. Although no comprehensive list of candidates has been officially released across all political parties, consultations and political maneuvering have reached advanced stages. Within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Hope Uzodimma has continued to dominate discussions following widespread endorsements by several support groups urging him to contest the Senate seat after the expiration of his tenure as governor. While the governor has not made a formal declaration, his name remains central to political calculations within the ruling party.

On the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former federal lawmaker Uche Ben Odunzeh has publicly indicated interest in representing Orlu in the Senate after joining the party. Also, in the ADC, Isaac Ugochukwu Mbika has reportedly emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate following the party’s internal nomination process.

Despite these developments, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), APGA and several other parties are yet to unveil their candidates for the district. In contrast, Jones Onyereri, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Isu/Njaba/Nkwerre/Nwangele Federal Constituency, has emerged as the PDP’s senatorial candidate for the zone following the party’s screening process. Political observers believe the Senate contest may eventually revolve around the long-standing agitation for power rotation within Orlu Zone. One issue dominating political conversations across Imo West is the agitation that the Senate seat should rotate to the Nkwerre/Nwangele/Njaba/Isu Federal Constituency.

Proponents of the agitation argue that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, none of the four local government areas has produced a senator for Orlu Zone, unlike other blocs that have repeatedly occupied the office.

Community leaders and socio-political organizations insist that equity, fairness and justice demand that the next senator should emerge from the federal constituency. Umuaka Times gathered that whether the major political parties will heed the call remains uncertain.

Unlike the Senate race, the contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Nkwerre/Nwangele/Njaba/Isu Federal Constituency has begun to take definite shape. The APC has produced Chief Cosmas Maduba, popularly known as OdoebubeIsu, as its candidate after defeating incumbent lawmaker Harrison Nwadike during the party’s primary election.

Maduba’s emergence is considered one of the biggest political developments in the constituency, effectively setting the stage for a fresh contest in 2027. The ADC and the Action People’s Party APP, have also concluded their primaries which produced Vincent O. Akanoo and Engineer. Ike Kemka C. (KK) as their candidates for the federal constituency respectively.

As of the time of filing this report, no officially verified candidates have emerged from the PDP, Labour Party, APGA, APP or other political parties. The House of Assembly aspirants are also gathering momentum at their own pace. the APC, Umuaka Times gathered has equally begun putting its structures in place ahead of the elections. For Njaba State Constituency, EbonineOzioma Worship has emerged as the APC candidate. In Nwangele State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu is the party’s reported candidate. Similarly, Hon. Modestus Osakwe is expected to fly the APC flag for Isu State Constituency.

Political activities are also ongoing in other parties, although no officially verified candidates have been publicly announced but it is seriously expected that such announcement will soon hit the airwaves. Unlike the National Assembly and State Assembly races, Umuaka Times gathered that local government politics remains relatively quiet. There is presently no officially verified list of aspirants seeking the chairmanship positions of Njaba and Nwangele Local Government Areas under any of the major political parties. Party insiders, however, say consultations are ongoing and aspirants are expected to openly declare their ambitions once the electoral timetable for the council elections is released.

Political analysts who spoke with Umuaka Times reporters disclosed that they believe the current list of aspirants represents only the first phase of what promises to be a highly competitive election season.

Many prominent politicians are still consulting widely and are expected to formally declare their ambitions after their respective parties conclude internal consultations and zoning arrangements. With more than a year to the elections, political realignments, coalition talks and strategic endorsements are expected to alter the political landscape significantly.

For now, the confirmed candidates and known aspirants are; Orlu Senatorial District (Imo West Senate) Hope Uzodimma of APCwho is widely reported as the party’s preferred senatorial hopeful. His formal declaration is still being awaited. Uche Ben Odunzeh    of ADC who is publicly positioning himself to contest the Senate seat.

Isaac Ugochukwu Mbika also of ADC reportedly emerged through the ADC nomination process. House of Representatives (Nkwerre/Nwangele/Njaba/Isu), Chief Cosmas Maduba (OdoebubeIsu) of APC is already confirmed after successful party “primaries”.

Others include Vincent O. Akanoo     of ADC who is already confirmed as a candidate. Imo State House of Assembly for Njaba State Constituency, EbonineOzioma Worship of APC has already picked the ticket. In Nwangele State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu of APC is the favoured candidate. For Isu State Constituency, Hon. Modestus Osakwe of APC is the flagbearer.

On the local government chairmanship, no officially verified candidates have yet emerged for the chairmanship elections in Njaba and Nwangele Local Government Areas. Although the field is gradually taking shape, the race for elective offices in Orlu Zone remains fluid. Several parties are yet to complete their nomination processes, while many influential politicians continue consultations behind closed doors.

As campaigns gather momentum, the coming months are expected to witness fresh declarations, new alliances and intense political competition that will ultimately determine who represents the people of Imo West at the Senate, House of Representatives, Imo State House of Assembly and the local government level.