PDP accuses Uzodimma of mismanaging Imo’s resources

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo has accused Hope Uzodimma, governor of the state, of failing to effectively manage the state’s resources.

A statement on Thursday by Lancelot Obiaku, PDP publicity secretary in the state, said Uzodimma’s first term and the initial year of his second were marked by “economic mismanagement, insecurity, and lack of transparency”.

The party said the state’s poor performance in generating revenue, citing data from BudgIT, a civic organisation focused on fiscal transparency.

Obiaku noted that Imo ranked between 26th and 36th in internally generated revenue (IGR) under Uzodimma’s leadership and was 32nd in the 2024 fiscal performance ranking.

He further revealed that the state recorded the lowest value added tax (VAT) revenue in the country in 2024, generating just ₦235.41 million — nearly half of what Zamfara state, the second-worst-performing state, generated.

“On the economy, trade, commerce, and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Uzodimma’s regime stands as the worst in the history of the state. The business environment has been adversely impacted by insecurity and the government’s unwillingness to regulate taxes, leaving business owners grumbling due to multiple taxations,” he said.

“Despite this ugly trend, the state has maintained an abysmal 26th to 36th ranking in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) under Uzodimma’s watch and ranked 32nd in the 2024 fiscal performance ranking, according to Budgit.

“Additionally, the state generated the lowest VAT revenue in the entire federation in 2024, with a paltry N235.41 million — almost half of what the second-worst-performing State, Zamfara, generated (N432.80 million), and a mere 0.2 percent of what Lagos generated.

“In terms of transparency, accountability, and rule of law the government’s record is shameful. The governor has reduced governance to a one-man show and maintained a secretive approach to managing the State’s resources and opportunities. In his absence — or, more accurately, without him — nothing works.”

The opposition party also criticised Uzodimma for failing to appoint a chief judge after the position became vacant in November 2024.

“How can one explain that the governor has refused to appoint a chief judge since November 16th when the office became vacant? Today, cases are not being assigned because only the chief judge can do so,” he added.

“This is just one out of many other functions only a chief judge can perform. The effect of this on the Imo judicial system can only be imagined.”