Sam Anyanwu to Uzodimma: You are jittery, rainbow coalition will sack APC in Imo

Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party’s alignment with the rainbow coalition will unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Imo governorship election.

Anyanwu was reacting to remarks by Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor, who on Tuesday warned APC members against working with political coalitions outside the party.

Uzodimma issued the warning during the inauguration of the Imo chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, which is mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“There is no rainbow coalition in Imo state,” Uzodimma said, warning members of the movement against working outside the ruling party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Ikenna Onuoha, his media adviser, Anyanwu described the political alignment between the PDP and the rainbow coalition as the only way to end the APC’s control of Imo.

He also said persons opposed to the coalition are scared of losing their ability to manipulate elections.

Anyanwu said the APC’s rejection of the rainbow coalition during the unveiling of the door-to-door initiative in Owerri shows that the party’s leaders are frustrated by the emerging opposition alliance.

“The APC in Imo State and its leaders are afraid of PDP and the Rainbow Coalition,” he said.

“Their statement during the unveiling of the Door-to-Door initiative on Tuesday, in Owerri that Rainbow coalition has no basis in the state is a testament that the party and its drivers are frustrated and confused.

“Imo people are aware that APC leaders in the state have been rejected and jilted. The party is currently seen as ‘Ebola’ disease that has no cure even after being quarantined.”

The PDP chieftain also criticised the Uzodimma administration over what he described as its failure to address infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic challenges in the state.

He said the government should have repaired rural roads, equipped hospitals with modern technology, improved the economy and raised educational standards.

Anyanwu also called on the state government to engage lecturers at the Imo State University (IMSU) who he said have been on strike for three months.

He accused the administration of making empty promises and worsening residents’ hardship instead of apologising for its alleged shortcomings.

“Imo people are weary of the 3R government and their tricks,” he said.

“It is embarrassing that instead of the administration in the state to apologize to Imo people for failing abysmally, the administration is busy insulting and provoking Imo people, making empty promises and creating unnecessary hunger.”

The PDP national secretary urged the APC-led government to accept that residents are seeking an alternative through the PDP and rainbow coalition.

A former senator and PDP candidate in the November 11, 2023 Imo governorship election, Anyanwu lost to Uzodimma, who secured 540,308 votes against his 71,503, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Uzodimma won in all 27 local government areas of the state.