The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Vice Chairman, South East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has declared that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, does not need to resign before contesting the Imo West Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said there was no constitutional provision preventing a sitting governor from seeking election into another public office while completing his tenure.
He made the clarification amid growing arguments over Uzodinma’s eligibility to contest the senatorial seat while still serving his second term as governor.
Explaining his position, the APC chieftain referred to Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which prohibits a sitting governor from holding another executive office or engaging in paid employment while in office.
According to him, the provision does not prevent a governor from seeking a party’s nomination, participating in an election or being declared the winner of another elective position.
He argued that the constitutional restriction applies to simultaneously occupying two offices and only becomes relevant when the successful candidate is required to assume the new position.
Arodiogbu also cited Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which provides for the vacation of a legislative seat if a member of the National Assembly becomes a governor, deputy governor or assumes certain executive positions.
He maintained that the provision recognises the possibility of movement between executive and legislative offices, provided the positions are not occupied simultaneously.
“There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law,” Arodiogbu declared.
He further argued that appellate court decisions interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution support the position that resignation is not a prerequisite for contesting another election but becomes necessary before assuming an incompatible public office.
The APC chieftain also referenced the Electoral Act, arguing that its qualification and disqualification provisions do not impose a blanket restriction on sitting governors seeking election into the Senate.
He insisted that Uzodinma’s current tenure, which runs until January 2028, does not automatically disqualify him from participating in the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election.
According to him, any necessary transition from the governorship to the Senate would be handled in accordance with constitutional provisions before the assumption of the new office.
“The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position,” he stated.
Arodiogbu accused those questioning the governor’s eligibility of misinterpreting the Constitution and creating unnecessary political controversy.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability,” he added.
He also reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodinma as the party’s candidate for Imo West and urged party members and the public to disregard arguments he described as attempts to undermine the party’s internal democratic process.
Arodiogbu concluded that every qualified Nigerian, including a serving governor, has the right to seek another elective office, provided constitutional requirements are fulfilled and incompatible offices are not held simultaneously.
