PDP Blasts Governor Uzodinma: Five Years of Terror, Corruption, and Economic Failure

As Governor Hope Uzodinma marked his five-year anniversary in office, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has harshly criticized his administration, calling it a major disappointment to the people of the state. The PDP’s allegations paint a grim picture of a government marked by terror, killings, and corruption.

In a statement issued by Lancelot Obiaku, the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, the party accused Uzodinma of overseeing a government characterized by poor leadership, economic failure, and a lack of hope. Obiaku stated that after five years, there is little to celebrate under the Governor’s leadership.

“Even the blind can see that Governor Uzodinma and his team have failed to meet any standard of governance. They should adopt an apologetic stance for leading the state to the brink of collapse,” Obiaku said.

The PDP claims that the government has failed in its most basic duty—protecting the lives and property of citizens. Under Uzodinma’s watch, the party alleges that the state has seen a rise in violence, with arsonists, gunmen, kidnappers, and other criminal elements wreaking havoc, leading to the deaths of innocent civilians and security operatives. The destruction of property, including private residences, has cost the state billions of naira, according to the PDP.

The situation, they say, is so dire that large areas of the state are now controlled by hoodlums. Several local government areas, including Okigwe, Njaba, Orsu, Orlu, and Oguta, are said to be uninhabitable. Many residents of these areas have fled their homes and become internally displaced persons (IDPs) within their own state.

The opposition party also took aim at the state of Imo’s infrastructure. According to Obiaku, the state’s roads are in such poor condition that they are now considered some of the worst in Nigeria. He added that the governor has neglected 98 percent of the impassable roads in both urban and rural areas, and public school buildings remain dilapidated, lacking basic facilities for students.

In addition to these concerns, the PDP pointed to a dismal business climate in Imo under Uzodinma’s leadership. The party claims that insecurity and the government’s failure to regulate taxes have created an unfriendly environment for businesses. As a result, local entrepreneurs are burdened with multiple taxes, while the state’s performance in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has remained abysmally low. In fact, Imo ranked 32nd in the 2024 fiscal performance, and the state generated the lowest VAT revenue in Nigeria in 2024—just N235.41 million, far below even the second-worst-performing state, Zamfara.

The PDP further criticized Uzodinma for what it described as a lack of transparency and accountability. They accused him of turning governance into a one-man show, spending most of his tenure outside the state. The Governor’s frequent absences have, according to the PDP, left many state functions in limbo. For example, since November 16, 2024, when the position of Chief Judge became vacant, no appointments have been made, causing a backlog in judicial proceedings.

The opposition party also accused Uzodinma of retaliating against critics of his administration and failing to account for over N520 billion in Local Government funds.

Lastly, the PDP lamented the Governor’s poor handling of workers’ welfare and pension schemes, further adding to the party’s critique of his governance.

As Governor Uzodinma celebrates five years in office, the PDP’s scathing remarks highlight a deep divide in Imo State, where many citizens continue to suffer under the weight of poor leadership and escalating violence.