Six political parties are actively campaigning across Imo State’s three senatorial districts ahead of the January 2027 National Assembly elections, with the fiercest contest expected in Owerri Zone.
Imo has three senatorial zones, Imo East (Owerri), Imo North (Okigwe) and Imo West (Orlu) and 10 federal constituencies. Campaigns for the presidential and National Assembly polls began on 19 August 2026.
The parties in contention are the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and Action Peoples Party (APP). In Orlu Zone, Governor Hope Uzodinma of the APC is widely seen as the frontrunner for the Senate seat.
Analysts note that challengers Chief Vincent Iwuchukwu (ADC), Hon. Mayor Eze (NDC) and Hon. Jones Onyeneriri (PDP) lack comparable organisational strength, grassroots reach and resources. Public affairs analyst Dr Afam Echi said Uzodinma’s path is strengthened by incumbency advantages, including access to security, funds and institutional influence, drawing on his previous experience as a two-term senator.
Okigwe Zone is also expected to favour the APC’s Senator Patrick Ndubueze, though observers point to credible challenges from Lady (Chief) Nkiru Ibekwe of the ADC and Chief Mike Ejiogu of the PDP. The most open race is in Owerri Zone. The current senator, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, is not seeking re-election and is instead focusing on the November 2027 governorship contest. This has left the field clear for six candidates, each presenting distinct strengths and vulnerabilities.
Alex Mbata of the APC, a businessman and chief executive of the ABM Group with interests in oil, gas, real estate and imports, hails from Mgwoma in Owerri North. He previously served as pro-chancellor of Imo State University and finished third in the 2023 Imo East senatorial race on the APC ticket. After emerging through consensus primaries, he is contesting again.
Supporters highlight his financial resources and network of influential figures. Critics within Owerri Federal Constituency (Owerri North, Owerri West and Owerri Municipal) argue that his senatorial bid undermines an expected push for the 2027 governorship under the state’s Charter of Equity.
Broader resentment toward the APC in the South-East is also cited as a potential obstacle. Political scientist Uche Njoku noted that many Igbo voters associate the party with perceived marginalisation under previous and current federal administrations.
Eze Madumere of the PDP, from the populous Mbaitoli Local Government Area, previously served as chief of staff and deputy governor under Rochas Okorocha. His relationship with Okorocha later soured. While described as approachable, Madumere faces the burden of a prolonged national crisis within the PDP, with some voters viewing the party as aligned with the APC.
Engineer Uche Daniel Ofoegbu of the ADC, the youngest of the leading contenders, is a Federal University of Technology Owerri graduate from Orji in Owerri North, the same community as the outgoing senator. His campaign draws support from the Rebuild Imo Movement associated with former governor Emeka Ihedioha, which retains a statewide network across all 27 local government areas and 365 wards. Commentators note that the movement has lost several key figures since 2023, though Ihedioha’s residual influence remains a factor.
Uche Onyeagocha of the NDC is a former human-rights lawyer who won the Owerri Federal Constituency seat in 2003 on the APGA platform. He later contested the Owerri Zone Senate seat for the PDP in 2023 and lost to Onyewuchi. After leaving the PDP and briefly joining the ADC, he moved to the NDC. He retains personal popularity in parts of the zone but faces challenges linked to shifting support in Mbaise areas and questions over the NDC’s primary process.
Mathew Chima Amadi of the APP, also known as Gburugburu, has focused on high-visibility spending, including community donations during women’s August meetings, scholarships and empowerment programmes for widows, market women and traders. While this has raised his profile, observers question whether the absence of a strong organisational structure will limit his prospects.
Basil Maduka of the LP, from Ezinihitte Mbaise, is regarded as the least established of the six in terms of organisation and visibility beyond social media. The party’s influence has also declined compared with the 2023 cycle.
Analysts describe the Owerri Zone contest as the most unpredictable of the three senatorial races, with multiple candidates holding credible paths to victory depending on organisational effectiveness, local alliances and voter sentiment closer to election day.
Results in Orlu and Okigwe are viewed as more settled in favour of the APC, though competitive candidates in both zones could still influence outcomes.
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