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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, is likely heading for a high-stakes contest in Imo West Senatorial District, with entrepreneur and politician, Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh, emerging as a leading aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ahead of the 2027 elections.
Odunzeh, a real estate developer and Chairman, EUC Group, from Eziachi in Orlu Local Government Area, has steadily built a political profile in Orlu Zone since contesting the 2023 Imo governorship election on the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Although he did not win, the campaign elevated his visibility, particularly among youths, entrepreneurs, and grassroots communities seeking alternatives to the political status quo. His focus on economic empowerment, institutional reform, and people-oriented governance resonated with first-time voters and business owners across the district.
Since 2023, Odunzeh has remained active in state politics, speaking consistently on insecurity, unemployment, youth empowerment, local government autonomy, and infrastructural development. Political observers say his continued engagement has kept him relevant in a space where many aspirants fade after election cycles.
Central to his growing influence is the “UBOM” Movement, a grassroots structure mobilising support for youth inclusion and good governance across Imo West and beyond. The platform has drawn in market leaders, artisans, professionals, and community stakeholders, giving Odunzeh direct access to voters at the ward level.
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He is also regarded as a political protégé of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and aligns with the Kwankwasiyya ideology of people-centered leadership and social welfare. That association has broadened his reach beyond Imo State and placed him within a network of reform-minded politicians nationally.
In 2026, Odunzeh exited the NNPP as part of a wider realignment ahead of 2027. Since then, sources within the NDC say he is positioned as a preferred candidate for the Imo West Senate ticket.
Supporters point to three factors driving his momentum: a functioning grassroots structure through UBOM, a track record in job creation and housing through EUC Homes and other EUC Group ventures in Lagos and Ibeju-Lekki, and consistent visibility in Orlu Zone through empowerment programmes and consultations.
“Unlike many who disappear after elections, Odunzeh has stayed on the ground,” a stakeholder in Orlu said. “That’s why he’s connecting with both the business class and grassroots communities.”
If he secures the NDC ticket, Odunzeh would set up a direct confrontation with the incumbent governor’s camp for control of Orlu Zone’s Senate seat.
With 2027 conversations intensifying, political watchers say his blend of youth appeal, entrepreneurial background, and grassroots organisation makes him one of the most closely watched contenders from Imo West.
