Uzodimma Takes Early Lead, Secures Victory in 20 Out of 27 Local Government Areas in Imo State

Governor Hope Uzodimma, representing the All Progressives Congress (APC), has secured victories in 20 out of the 27 local government areas announced so far in the Imo State governorship poll held on November 11, 2023. The collation of results commenced at the State Collation Centre in Owerri around 02:30 am on Sunday, with Prof Abayomi Fashina, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, serving as the state Returning Officer for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Despite 18 parties fielding candidates, the contest is notably characterized as a four-way race, primarily involving Governor Uzodimma of APC, Samuel Anyanwu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Achonu Nneji of the Labour Party, and Jack Ogunewe of the Action Alliance. As of the current report on Sunday morning, no other candidates have clinched victories in any local government, with the collation of results still in progress.

INEC reported a total of 2,419,922 registered voters in the state for the election, and 2,318,919 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were collected. It's worth noting that simultaneous governorship elections were conducted in Kogi and Bayelsa on the same date, November 11, 2023, but the collation of results from these states has been adjourned to Sunday morning.