• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Hon. Dennis Adikwuru is the Convener and National Secretary, Igbo People's Action Congress (IPAC); former Secretary General of Igbo People's Movement (IPM), as well as a People's Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Imo State. Adikwuru, a member of Imo State Presidential Campaign Council under Media and Publicity Sub-committee in the 2023 elections and erstwhile State Publicity Secretary, Imo State Professionals for Atiku, is also the State Coordinator, Imo PDP Grassroots Movement. As politicians re-strategise towards the 2027 general elections, he speaks to EJIKEME OMENAZU on how the political pendulum is swinging in his state, Imo State. Excerpt: There was a report recently that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Imo State have emptied themselves into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state due to Governor Hope Uzodimma's performance. As a PDP chieftain in the state, how true is the story? The defection of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be ongoing at the moment. I cannot say that the entire PDP is emptying into APC, but it is gradually gaining ground these days. However, our PDP is no more attractive to loyal members. Although you are yet to make any public announcement to that effect, are you and your groups and supporters part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members who have moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC)? As we talk, I am still in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with my structures. However, with the trend of events in the party, we are likely to rejoin APC. It is instructive to note here that I am among the founding members of All Progressives Congress (APC), being a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) that was part of the formation of the APC. It will be a home coming for those of us who saw the birth of All Progressives Congress (APC). With the mass defection of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, would you say there are still remnants of PDP in the state? There are remnants of PDP in Imo State, in fact, so many members. There is hardly any way a party will totally fizzle out of existence because some members will fall back to the party as a negotiation table. Others will use it as an umbrella to contest for elections and grow their profiles as former candidates. In this respect, you can still find remnants of members across party lines. Is there the possibility of the next governor coming from Mbaise or your Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC)? The just-concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Imo State, which produced a state chairman from Orlu zone gives a clear indication that the next governor can emerge from Okigwe or Owerri Zone. With this on the table, the pendulum is most likely to swing to Owerri Zone and the Mbaise nation remains the beautiful bride. I can authoritatively state that many credible and capacity filled candidates abound in Mbaise to take up the mantle of power in Imo State. Could you point out some of those performances of Governor Hope Uzodimma that have endeared him and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members to make them reportedly 'emptying' themselves into the APC? Two key areas the Governor Hope Uzodimma has won the heart of Imo people are infrastructural development, especially road construction, and restoration of peace and security in the state. For me and like minds, Governor Hope Uzodimma has done excellently well in these two areas. You indicated that your group, the Igbo People's Action Congress (IPAC), would be working towards the re-election of President Bola Tinubu of APC for his second term. Why are you and your group so confident that President Tinubu will be re-elected? The President has worked his way into the hearts of Nigerians. He has proved to be stable, focused and especially determined to launch the economy into a boom in a short while. I can tell you that there is no Nigerian president with such a record of confidence in policy formulation and execution as President Tinubu has showcased. It is a common statement that you join the winning team, and truly, President Tinubu's candidature for the 2027 elections is the winning team and we shall support the team to victory. Who, in your opinion among the various contenders, would you like to tip for the Imo governorship? Officially, I cannot point to any single aspirant to any of the elective positions. This is probably because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given the nod for the purchase of the aspiration forms and the parties have not set the timetable for the primaries. What we hear for now is in the background about the many intending aspirants. For this, I can say that we shall await unfolding events in the near future which will guide us to make our permutations. There is a general feeling that you have made waves in the Nigerian political spectrum which was boosted by your media professional background. Why is it that you have not deemed it fit to contest for any choice position in your state? You have got me into a laughter session. Honestly, you are very correct in your analysis. I have actually traversed the various levels of political activism and participation. This I have done as a duty call in my learning of Political Science. Again, my political consciousness was raised by my media background which gave me the insight into trying to know the happenings around me and seeking ways to bring about a positive change. I have impacted positively on my environment and, to a large extent, built goodwill which can move me into political contests. By the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and especially the electoral laws, I am qualified to contest for any position, including President of the country. However, my Political Science study has compelled me to play from the background and join the masses in electing the politicians. I am a very misunderstood person. Most people take me for granted because of my humble posture, but my strict principles often put me in collusion with my friends who prefer to play in the middle. For this, I also decided not to expose myself to the persons who cannot take my uncompromising principles. You can see for yourself why I may not declare for any elective position in the nearest future. Among the Igbo top politicians in government positions presently, who among them can one say is the authentic Political Leader of Ndigbo, who can act as a unifying or rallying voice of the people, just like the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigerians first President, or the late Dr Michael Okpara, the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region? This is the biggest question to handle at this moment. To be frank, I have not sighted any of the present day Igbo politicians emerging as a rallying point for Ndigbo. I cannot see any with such character, charisma and capacity. What we have all over are selfish, corrupt and compromising politicians. But I can assure you that among the emerging political leaders of the 2027 elections, we shall make a count of a number of them who will come together for the Igbo cause. This is my position on this question. Source: https://independent.ng/no-current-igbo-politician-is-a-rallying-voice-for-ndigbo-adikwuru/