On Friday, February 13, 2026, the loud whispers in Mbaise of Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji’s subtle aspiration to succeed Governor Hope Uzodimma as the Chief Executive Officer of Imo State, became an official notification.
The Executive Council and party leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at Lorji in Aboh Mbaise LGA were hosted at a historic gathering.
During the event, the pioneer Commissioner for Homeland Security in Imo State informed his Ward party members that he was exploring a run for governor of Imo State.
Chaired by the APC party Chairman at the Lorji Ward, Mr. Ugochukwu Iwuoha, with the Ward party Secretary Comrade Ephraim Anokwuru recording, the gathering was attended by consequential party leaders at Lorji and the members of the EXCO.
Included were the former IMC Chairman of Aboh Mbaise LGA, Barrister Emmanuel Njoku, the former SA to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Chief Ikenna George, the long-standing political leader and former Coordinator of the Oke Ụvụrụ Development Centre, Chief Louis Iwuala, to mention a few.
Ugorji Speaks
“I will not be the richest person to run for governor in 2027. I won’t be the oldest or the wisest, and I would not even claim that I would be the most qualified.
“What I bring is a skill set, a family background, a religious orientation, a cultural grounding, and an international professional experience and network that makes me uniquely qualified at this time in the history of our beloved state,” Ugorji told his kinsmen.
Ugorji told the party faithful that his main reasons for wanting to be governor were to have the opportunity to uplift as many people as possible and “extend the superlative performance legacy of Onwa Oyoko.”
He also said that the stage a governor occupies in the lives of the people “is so visible a platform that can be used to espouse a value system that reflects our best and most noble aspirations as a distinct and progenitor ethnic group.”
“So, I ask of you, today on the very sand that generations of our ancestors walked, that “unu tụpụrụ nụm ọkpụkpụ n’ilo, hapụrụm mgba mụ na ndi mmụọ!”
Respect to Whom It Is Due
Dr. Ugorji, who is an Old Boy of Ife Secondary School, Ezinihite and of Holy Ghost College, Owerri, went on to pay tribute to two sons of Lorji who had at one time or another aspired to be governor of Imo State.
“I stand on the broad shoulders of those who came before me,” Ugorji proclaimed.
“And so, I pay tribute to our Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ahamba, and to our retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Ugomuo.
“May our current efforts extend the aspirations of our people beyond where those brothers stopped!”
Those who spoke at the gathering included Chief George, Chief Iwuala, Eze Charles Ogudoro, Maazi Nnaa Onyenuforo, and Barrister Njoku.
On a motion made by Chief Ikenna George and seconded by Chief Emeka Onwunwa, the APC at the Lorji Ward resolved unanimously to urge their son, Dr. Ugorji, to come out vigorously for governor.
A prayer for his health and protection during the run, was offered on behalf of the party faithfuls by Chief Louis Iwuala.
