Insecurity, Economic Mismanagement, and Declining Revenue: Opposition Parties Accuse Uzodimma of Incompetence

This is not the best of times for Governor Hope Uzodimma and his APC-led administration in Imo State. Opposition parties, particularly the PDP, APP, and ADC, have described both the governor and the ruling party as incompetent in the face of escalating insecurity, economic mismanagement, and declining revenue generation.

The APP, through its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Cajetan Duke Akuta, recently challenged Uzodimma on issues bordering on insecurity and the state’s economic direction.

Akuta noted that although the Uzodimma administration could be commended for rehabilitating a few federal roads, the APC government in the state has failed to provide adequate security or meaningful economic leadership.

He pointed out that prior to Uzodimma’s emergence as governor, Imo State had not experienced the level of insecurity currently witnessed. According to him, insecurity “reared its ugly head” the moment Uzodimma was inaugurated on January 15, 2020. Akuta argued that insecurity has persisted because of what he described as “poor technical and wrong tactical approaches” adopted by the Uzodimma administration.

Citing an example, he said: “Let us take the issue of ENTRACO as a key point. At a time when the masses were going through severe economic hardship, that was when Uzodimma authorised ENTRACO to demolish people’s small business centres and ports on the grounds that they were shanties.

“That singular move – before it was outlawed – sent many to their untimely graves, while others, especially youths displaced from their only means of livelihood, were driven into crime. Recall that there were fatal casualties on both sides. This is how insecurity was made possible and sustained.”

Similarly, the PDP in Imo State has blamed Uzodimma and the APC for the continued spate of insecurity. The party said the governor has failed in the management of the state’s economy, resulting in a steady decline in revenue.

A statement from the Imo PDP Publicity Department lamented that under Uzodimma’s watch, thousands of Imo indigenes and residents have been killed by groups popularly referred to as “unknown gunmen.” The party said what began as a localized crisis in Orlu LGA in 2020 escalated into a major state-wide conflict due to the government’s inability to tackle the situation effectively.

According to the PDP, the crisis spread rapidly from Orlu LGA to all 12 LGAs in the Orlu Zone, and eventually engulfed the entire state. In the process, countless innocent persons were killed, properties were burnt, and thousands of residents were displaced, becoming refugees in their own communities.

Beyond insecurity, the major opposition parties unanimously argue that the Uzodimma administration has done little or nothing to improve the state’s economy—an issue they insist is directly linked to the sustained security challenges.

Njoku Nnamdi, an indigene of Okwudo in Njaba LGA and a member of the ADC (speaking in his personal capacity), said:

“The fact remains that economically, Imo is clearly backward. Many investors who had operated here for over 20 years relocated to Uyo, Port Harcourt, and Asaba following the insecurity that began in February 2020.

“In fact, outside Lagos and Port Harcourt, Owerri has the highest number of hotels, per capita, in Nigeria. The hospitality industry used to generate meaningful revenue for the state, but insecurity has severely damaged that sector. Revenue from that angle has practically disappeared.”

He added: “Another factor responsible for the poor economy and inadequate revenue generation is the failure of the Uzodimma administration to allow local councils to function optimally. When the 27 LGAs in Imo are not allowed to access and appropriate their monthly federal allocations, they are rendered incapacitated.

“This is why local roads are dangerously impassable, traditional markets are systematically dilapidated, and primary healthcare and primary education services have virtually collapsed. These are the points against Uzodimma’s administration.”