The Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Governor Hope Uzodinma to stop what it described as “junketing” across the country for political assignments and return to the state to focus on governance.
The party said the defeat suffered by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election, despite the deployment of Uzodinma and more than 17 other governors to lead the party’s campaign, should serve as a reminder that elections are ultimately won by the people.
The PDP made its position known in a statement issued in Owerri by its State Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku.
The party described as “amusing” the fact that Uzodinma, whom it accused of lobbying for virtually every APC political assignment, had again failed to deliver victory after leading the APC National Campaign Council in Osun.
“Notwithstanding that the APC constituted a high-powered campaign council under his leadership, comprising top party leaders, governors, senators and other national figures, yet, when the people of Osun spoke, they spoke decisively and sent Uzodimma out in shame,” Obiaku said.
He recalled that Uzodinma had also chaired the APC National Campaign Council for the 2021 Anambra State governorship election, where the party lost to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
“For Governor Uzodimma, this is not an entirely unfamiliar experience. In 2021, he similarly chaired the APC’s National Campaign Council for the Anambra Governorship Election, leading a formidable campaign structure that included several governors and national political heavyweights. But the APC still lost that election to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of APGA,” he said.
According to the PDP, having suffered two high-profile defeats while leading APC campaign councils, Uzodinma should now focus his attention on Imo State rather than political assignments outside the state.
The party alleged that roads across Imo had deteriorated, particularly during the rainy season, while several ring roads, bypasses, community and rural roads remained abandoned.
“What is particularly perplexing is that while Governor Uzodimma is busy travelling from one political assignment to another and grandstanding on national platforms, the roads of Imo State are falling apart in the hands of the rainy season,” Obiaku said.
He also criticised the condition of public schools in the state, alleging that pupils and students were being confronted with dilapidated learning environments, inadequate teaching and learning materials, and insufficient teachers.
Obiaku further alleged that some public schools had become overgrown with bushes and were being overtaken by rodents and reptiles.
The PDP also raised concerns over insecurity, citing reported activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements around Ihiagwa, Avu and other communities in the state.
The party said recent security operations in some of the affected areas underscored the seriousness of the situation.
It added that the situation suggested that Uzodinma was becoming increasingly detached from the challenges confronting ordinary residents of Imo State.
The PDP therefore urged the governor to “return home and govern,” stressing that his responsibility was to provide good roads, quality education, security, healthcare, jobs and an enabling environment for residents.
“They elected him to provide good roads, quality education, security, healthcare, jobs and an enabling environment for citizens to live and prosper,” the party said.
The opposition party also advised Uzodinma to spend less time lobbying for political positions and travelling for campaign assignments, arguing that the resources of Imo State finance the office he currently occupies.
“Osun has spoken, Anambra has spoken before it, and the lesson is simple. It is that political power does not belong to those who deploy the largest convoy; it belongs to the people. Governor Uzodimma must listen,” Obiaku said.
