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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 of EUC Group, from Eziachi in Orlu LGA, 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 mobilizing 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.
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 programs and consultations.
