Thursday , March 28 2024

13 Facts About Hope Uzodinma, Imo State Governor

Hope Uzodinma

Many Nigerians were stunned on on Tuesday, January 14, following the judgment of the Supreme Court sacking the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, as the governor of Imo state and announcing that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hope Uzodinma, should be sworn in as state governor.

No matter the feelings and reactions of people, that was the Supreme court judgment and Uzodinma, finally won the battle after he had lost at tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

Before the judgment of the Supreme Court, the fiery Catholic priest of Enugu Diocese, Ejike Mbaka, had sent a jittery to the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state when he prophesied on the eve of January 1, that Ihedioha would be sacked and that Uzodinma would become the governor of the state.

Mbaka had prophesied: “In Imo state, there is hope. Hope, hope, hope in Imo state! A new leadership that will break barriers and there would be joy in the land of Imo. Lift your candles as I bless Hope Uzodinma; and I empower him to, spiritually, to take over. How? I do not know.”

When the primary poll was held in October 2018, both Uzodinma and Nwosu were declared winners of the election in a parallel exercise. But the former senator’s name was sent to the electoral commission as the party’s standard-bearer by the Oshiomhole-led national executive of the party. Today, he is the authentic governor of the state, according to the Supreme court.

Before now, many people did not know much about Governor Hope Uzodinma, though he has been in politics for a long time. He was the youth leader of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Imo in the second republic. He was also a prominent member of the now defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP). You can see he is not new in Nigeria’s political arena.

Education

He obtained his secondary school certificate from Mgbidi Secondary School, Orlu west in 1982.

Uzodinma has a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a diploma in transport studies. He is also a recipient of a honorary doctorate degree from the Imo state university.

Business

Uzodinma has been involved in the oil and gas sector through SMIEC Chemical Engineering & Construction Company Limited, his company, which he used to execute many projects for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Rise in Politics

Uzodinma became prominent in Imo politics in the early 2000s as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PD). In 2003, he ran for governor of the state on the ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) but he did not win.

He returned to the PDP and in 2006, Uzodinma sought the ticket of the party to contest the governorship election again but lost at the primary poll to Ararume. He was later appointed a member of the PDP board of trustees (BoT).

Uzodinma got elected for the first time into the senate in 2011. He was reelected in 2015.

In Summary

Here are 12 most important things to know about the new governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma ;

  1. Senator Hope Uzodinma picked the APC ticket seven months after he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  2. Uzodinma came fourth behind Emeka Ihedioha (PDP), Nwosu (Action Alliance) and Ifeanyi Ararume (All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
  3. While Ihedioha polled 273,404 votes, Nwosu, Ararume and Uzodinma secured 190,364; 114,676; and 96,458 votes respectively. Uzodinma challenged the victory of Ihedioha up to the apex court and won.
  4. Uzodinma became prominent in Imo politics in the early 2000s as a PDP member. In 2003, he ran for governor of the state on the ticket of Alliance for Democracy (AD) but he did not win.
  5. He returned to the PDP and in 2006, sought the ticket of the party to contest the governorship election again but lost at the primary poll to Ararume.
  6. Uzodinma who was later appointed a PDP board of trustees (BoT) member, was first elected into the Senate in 2011. He was reelected in 2015.
  7. Before the 2000s, Uzodinma was the youth leader of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in Imo in the second republic. He was also a prominent member of the now-defunct United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).
  8. He also has been involved in the oil and gas sector through SMIEC Chemical Engineering & Construction Company Limited, his company, which he used to execute many projects for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
  9. He obtained his secondary school certificate from Mgbidi Secondary School, Orlu west in 1982.
  10. Uzodinma has a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a diploma in transport studies. He is also a recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the Imo state university.
  11. He married Chioma Ikeaka in 2015 and they have three children.
  12. He had five children with his ex-wife, Mrs. Augusta Uzodinma.
  13. Uzodinma is from Omuma, in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

About Chinenye Nwabueze

Nwabueze is a writer with passion for cutting-edge news

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