The Imo State Government has firmly dismissed circulating posters suggesting that Governor Hope Uzodinma is being considered as the running mate to All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for the 2027 presidential election. The government labeled these claims as “fake, malicious, and aimed at causing disaffection” between Governor Uzodinma and President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued by the State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation, and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, the government attributed the circulation of these posters on social media to “mischief makers.” Emelumba emphasized that at no point had Governor Uzodinma contemplated running for such an office.
“Everyone in Nigeria is quite aware that Uzodinma is one of the fiercest supporters of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and has canvassed national support for him to succeed in his assignment. It is both laughable and preposterous. Apart from the governor being engrossed in discharging his second term mandate, he has also been supporting Mr. President, so where does this malicious misinformation spring from?” Emelumba stated.
He further accused opponents of the current federal administration of propagating fake news to create discord between Tinubu and his loyalists. The commissioner noted that the failure of recent nationwide protests has led to opposition elements devising new tactics to divide the ruling party.
Emelumba advised those spreading what he termed a “tissue of lies” to cease activities that could undermine the peaceful relationship between the federal and state governments. He also clarified that Governor Uzodinma has no ambitions to run for Vice President in 2027, urging the public to ignore any contrary information as “fake, malicious, and spurious.”
