Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has hinted at the qualities his successor must possess while warning against premature political distractions, stating that he still has three years in office—unless he is poisoned.
Speaking at a meeting with political leaders from the Owerri Zone under the Owerri Harmony Project at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday, Uzodimma cautioned against overheating the polity with premature succession talks, stressing the importance of governance continuity.
“I will not solve all the problems in Imo. I will do the ones I can, but the man coming after me should be able to do some as well,” he said. “We must support merit. We need a courageous man, someone well-focused and bold, who can take on challenges, including security threats, just as we did.”
The governor, who won his second term in a landslide victory, warned political actors to beware of external influences trying to manipulate them with empty promises ahead of the next election.
“Very soon, external forces will approach you, tell you that you are the best candidate for governor, and even offer incentives. But after the elections, they will abandon you. We must differentiate between personal desires and collective interests,” he stated.
On his political future, Uzodimma downplayed discussions about 2027, insisting that his priority remains governance.
“I am not discussing politics now because I still have three years in office unless, of course, you want to poison me here! Let us first create awareness, consult, reconcile, and unite. Politics should be pursued with love and understanding, not confrontation,” he added.
His remarks have sparked reactions across the political landscape, with analysts debating whether he was subtly endorsing a preferred successor or simply urging restraint among political stakeholders.
