Concerns have been raised about the turnout of eligible voters in today’s election in Imo State due to a lack of security and faith in the electoral process.
According to the MISMOB, today’s election in Imo is in jeopardy due to the ongoing violence caused by unknown gunmen and other non-state actors.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2,419,922 people were registered to vote, but only 2,318,919 people have actually acquired their permanent voter cards (PVCs).
Hope Uzodinma, governor since 2015 and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is running for reelection, and she has competition from seventeen other candidates.
Only two, however, are considered serious challenges to his re-election.
The current governor and two other leading contenders are expected to split the state’s 2.3 million votes, according to projections made by political scientists and state development experts.
University lecturer Prof Uche Amadi told MISMOB that insecurity and distrust of INEC are the two main causes of voter apathy.
As he put it, “the people may not want to risk their lives coming out to exercise their franchise, especially in crisis-ridden areas of Orsu, Orlu, Oru-east, Okigwe, Ehime-Mbano, etc., where several cases of killings, kidnappings, arson, and other vices have been recorded.”
He continued by saying that the public feel the electoral umpire is corrupt and will ultimately declare the APC the victor of the poll.
Uzodinma, Senator Athan Achonu of the Labour Party (LP), and Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are three of the 17 gubernatorial contenders vying for Imo State’s soul.
Achonu, the LP’s gubernatorial candidate, is widely viewed as a formidable opponent in the eyes of Imo citizens, and he may be riding both Obi’s wave and his dedication to the greater good.
One of the nicknames for Achonu is “One Arm General.”
Many industrial farms have been established as a result of his ‘aku ruoulo’ (invest home) strategy, making him the frontrunner among rivals for the title of biggest investor in Imo State.
Achonu believes that the local government should take an active role because of its role in creating instability.
Achonu claimed that Imo is part of the Labour Party since Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate, gained so much support in the state.
The recent visit to Kanu Nwankwo Sports’ Complex in Owerri by Obi and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, boosted Achonu’s campaign.
Meanwhile, Senator Samuel Anyanwu of the PDP, better known by his nickname, Samdaddy, is also a formidable opponent with an eye on securing a third term in Imo for his party.
Sen. Anyanwu said he was sure he could beat Gov. Uzodinma.
Having served as a senator, member of the House of Representatives, chairman of a local government, and party official, he is possibly the most seasoned contender.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is both his greatest strength and worst weakness. Even though he narrowly defeated Chief Emeka Ihedioha in the election, many people still hold grudges against him and refuse to help him.
Governor Uzodinma now has the support of the vast majority of the party chieftains in his senatorial district, Owerri zone.
The attack on the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Owerri, according to Barr Stanley Emana, a political analyst based in Owerri, is bad news for the governor.
In the next few hours, we’ll find out if any of the contenders can overcome these obstacles.
Mismob Media