Since he assumed office as the governor of Imo State in 2020, Senator Hope Uzodinma has faced numerous challenges. Some of them were inherited, others were birthed by the complexities of the Nigerian political chessboard. Yet, through the turbulence, he has made significant efforts to steer Imo state on a path of progress. I do not intend this article to be a critique of his legitimacy, or a lamentation of the past history of the state. Instead, it is a sincere call on the good people of Imo state to appreciate what he has achieved in these five years in office, in order to encourage him to work harder, to lead with Godly wisdom, to reconcile with dissenting voices, to protect the dignity of the people he governs, and to cement a legacy that will endure beyond the noise of today. Like my father would say in his days: “no man is encouraged to do better, if the good he does is not appreciated.”
Governor Uzodinma’s tenure has not been without its milestones. Since his re-election in November 2023, he has driven transformative change across key sectors. His administration has since prioritized infrastructural development as a catalyst for the economic growth of the state. An example is the 6.9 kilometre Orlu-Owerri-Ebeiri-Umuowa-Nkume dual carriageway, complete with solar-powered streetlights, which has enhanced connectivity and invigorated commerce. The reconstructed Chukwuma Nwoha Lane near Imo State University and the Assumpta Flyover at Control Post are designed to ease traffic congestion and boost local economies. Projects like the Mgbidi-Omuma-Okporo Road and the Orlu Township stretch from Banana Junction are revitalizing markets and communities.
Under Governor Uzodinma’s leadership, the state’s Healthcare Sector has undergone remarkable transformation. The four state-of-the-art hospitals being built in Amaigbo, Umuorji, Isiala Mbano, and Ideato South reflect his pledge that “no community will be left behind.” By the same token, Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) in Orlu, is now equipped with the first state-owned Molecular Biology Laboratory in South East Nigeria, a Kidney Transplant Centre, and an Oxygen Plant. The institution is setting new standards in medical care.
The ImoCare Health Insurance Scheme has enrolled all civil servants since November 2023 and pensioners since April 2025, with access for the latter beginning June 1, 2025. Over 400,000 cases have been managed, including 4,500 deliveries and 2,000 caesarean sections, with only two maternal deaths due to late presentations. Imo is now going for a historic 2.7 million resident enrolments in ImoCare, the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Skill-Up Imo programme has already empowered thousands of youths with digital skills, turning them into job creators and positioning Imo as a technology hub. The digitalization of the public payroll system has also eliminated inefficiencies and curbed corruption to a great extent.
Despite early security challenges, including attacks by unknown gunmen, Uzodimma has been able to restore stability in the state through community engagement and significant support for security agencies. By empowering traditional rulers and town union leaders, and with the creation of Forest Guards in every community in the state, the governor has upgraded the state’s culture of vigilance, and has outlined strategies to sustain these gains.
Governor Uzodinma’s 2025 “Budget of Expanded Economic Opportunities,” valued at ₦755.6 billion, prioritizes health, education, tourism, power, and agriculture. Projects like the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre and the revitalized Concord Hilton Hotel aim to position Imo as a tourism and business hub and the governor has already elaborated on these efforts, emphasizing economic diversification and inclusive growth as his goal.
From infrastructure development, urban renewal, and youth empowerment initiatives, to the reform of public institutions, Uzodinma has worked to deliver tangible change. While political grievances persist, it would be dishonest not to acknowledge these strides. The roads, schools, security measures, and efforts to attract investment all form part of a legacy in progress. And so, I would call on my fellow Imolites to now begin to see beyond the wounds of the past. Wise people do not cry over spilled milk. The Supreme Court spoke when it did five years ago, and time has moved on. The real question now is: what do we want for the future of Imo State?
It is unfortunate that bitterness still lingers among segments of the populace after so many years. Some have chosen to remain anchored to 2019, their disappointment colouring every decision made by the current administration. But the reality is that this attitude only hampers the state’s progress. Bitterness, no matter how justified, cannot build roads, create jobs, or secure lives. Bitterness must give way to progress. For the sake of the Imo we all claim to love, we must let go of resentment and rally around our collective goal of our state’s development. Let the opposition remain vigilant, yes, but also constructive. And let the governor rise above past controversies to lead with magnanimity. Governor Uzodinma must be concerned with how history will remember him. It would be unfortunate if, despite his efforts, he is remembered as a failed governor, not because he failed to work, but because political bitterness obscured the good he did. He still has time to shape his narrative, and that will require conscious efforts to unify and include.
Leadership, at its best, is about healing. A leader must not only govern but also reconcile, rebuild trust, and create unity from division. Uzodinma has the capacity and the opportunity to be remembered not as the so-called supreme court governor, but as the peacemaker, the protector of his people, the Onwa Oyoko and the architect of a new Imo.
It will perhaps interest him to recollect that in the United Kingdom, the practice of forming a shadow government is a cornerstone of democratic maturity. The ruling party appoints ministers; the opposition appoints shadow ministers. This system ensures that policies are scrutinized and that alternatives are proposed. Governor Uzodinma could initiate a similar structure in Imo through the state’s House of Assembly by formally encouraging the opposition to form a Shadow Cabinet. If the government has a Finance Commissioner, for example, the opposition will be allowed to appoint its own Shadow Commissioner for Finance. A Commissioner for education and a Shadow Commissioner for Education and so on. This system would not only encourage accountability but also prepare the opposition to enable to incumbent government to succeed in delivering its campaign promises or to lead effectively in the future if the people decide that a change of government had become necessary. It would elevate political debate from mere criticism to informed dialogue and encourage our people to understand and appreciate that politics and the quest for public office must not be a do-or-die affair. This idea is not about power-sharing; it is about maturity in governance. It demonstrates confidence in one’s leadership and fosters a culture of service across party lines.
For Imo State to truly progress, the governor must make deliberate efforts to reconcile with all major stakeholders and they include political opponents, traditional rulers, youth groups, women’s organizations, civil society bodies, and religious leaders. No meaningful development can occur in a state that is fragmented. Therefore, Governor Uzodinma must expeditiously extend a genuine hand of fellowship to all stakeholders in the future and destiny of Imo State. This is not weakness, it is statesmanship. A reconciled polity will give him the moral authority to lead decisively and unify the state around a common vision and shared goals.
For instance, one of the major concerns in Imo State today is the threat to rural farming communities by criminal herdsmen. Because this goes beyond party affairs, and because this is a collective assault on the people of Imo State as a people, and because this is a matter that touches on the integrity and pride of the rural population of the state, it is not a matter to be left for the APC alone to solve. All hands, and all parties must be involved. It is the future of the state that should be uppermost in the mind of anyone who claims to love Imo State. At that level, we should be thinking and talking about what we can do for our state at this time, more than what our state can for us.
While not all herders are violent people, the repeated destruction of crops, harassment of villagers, and sometimes fatal confrontations have created widespread fear among Imo people. Governor Uzodinma must visibly step forward to defend his people and their livelihoods. A practical and immediate step would be what he has already done, to institutionalize community-based Forest Guards. Every single community in Imo should be empowered to form and manage its own Forest Guard unit, equipped, trained, and supported by the state government to ensure that cattle rearers do not invade farms with their cows to destroy crops. The guards would monitor rural areas, report suspicious movements, and help mediate local disputes. With appropriate legal backing and oversight, they can become the state’s first line of defence for farmers. This would at least show the people that their governor listens, cares, and acts decisively in their best interest.
To the people of Imo, this is a passionate appeal. Let us not be prisoners of the past. Let us not allow political affiliations to blind us to progress. The All Progressives Congress (APC) made campaign promises. Let us hold them accountable, yes—but let us also cooperate where we must, so that those promises can be fulfilled. Opposition does not mean obstruction. Constructive criticism, dialogue, and civic engagement are more effective tools to develop a state than cynicism and sabotage. The state belongs to all of us, regardless of who is in power. Our schools, our hospitals, our roads, our farms—they do not wear party colours. We all suffer when governance fails and we all benefit when it succeeds.
Governor Hope Uzodinma has an opportunity, a rare and powerful opportunity, to redefine governance in Imo State. By reaching out to the opposition, protecting rural farmers, and fostering peace among stakeholders, he can build a legacy that transcends party lines and judicial pronouncements. Let history not remember him merely for how he came into office, but for what he did with the office he occupied. Let him be the man who blessed Imo with leadership that reconciled, protected, and delivered. May wisdom guide his steps. May peace return to Imo.
Your Excellency, the time to rise above political wounds is now. You have served for over four years. Your work is being watched, assessed, and recorded, not just by critics, but by history itself. You can choose to end your tenure, remembered as a governor who came through controversy and ended in controversy. Or you can choose to be remembered as the man who turned adversity into legacy. Unify your state. Reconcile your people. Defend the vulnerable. Encourage democratic depth. Create platforms for transparency. Lead beyond party politics. Imo needs healing. And you, Governor Hope Uzodinma, are the foremost man to do the healing.
