Tension mounts over Imo senatorial elections

• Published date: 02 February 2023
• Publication title: Nigeria - The Nation

Observers believe that the senatorial polls in Imo State will not be tough. Three major parties in the race cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. They are the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC); the main opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP). Correspondent CHRIS NJOKU reports

There is a lot of apprehension over next month's senatorial election in Imo State. It is no longer easy to determine what the outcome of the National Assembly elections will be in the state, due to several factors. Ordinarily, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be able to win the three senatorial seats in the election, based on the performance of Governor Hope Uzodimma in close to four years.

But, it is not going to be that easy; three other major parties in the race cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. They are the main opposition party, the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP).

The outcome of the election will depend not only on the popularity of each of the parties, but also those of the candidates.

Imo West:

The recent sacking of the PDP candidate in the Imo West senatorial race, Jones Onyeareri may have created an opportunity for the other parties in the contest.

Onyereri (PDP):

The Supreme Court last Friday nullified the primary that produced Onyeareri as the flag bearer of the party on the ground that it was conducted in Owerri, the Imo State capital, instead of Orlu being the headquarters of the district.

In a judgment on the appeal filed by Nnamdi Ezeani, Justice Emmanuel Agim said that the PDP grossly violated Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act by conducting the primary outside the venue stipulated by law. The apex court declared that based on the judgment, the PDP will not participate in the next month's senatorial election, having failed to produce its candidate within the time allowed by law.

Supporters of the party have been saddened by the judgment.

Izunaso (APC):

Pundits believe that the nullification will make the contest easy for the APC candidate, Osita Izunaso to win the Imo West senatorial election.

Izunaso was a member of the House of Representatives for eight years from 2003 to 2007 and the Senate from 2007 to 2011. He is familiar with the terrain. He was also the National Organizing Secretary of the APC. While at the National Assembly, he sponsored bills that attracted the Assa Gas Plant to Ohaji-Egbema Local Government, influenced the construction of the Owerri-Onitsha Road, canvassed for the creation of...