Imo State

Imo State has experienced tumultuous politics in recent years, marked by the controversial Supreme Court decision that installed Governor Hope Uzodimma in January 2020. The political climate remains polarized, with strong opposition from PDP and Labour Party supporters who view the 2020 judgment as illegitimate. Governor Uzodimma won re-election in November 2023, but the contest was fiercely disputed by opposition candidates. The state remains one of Nigeria's most politically divided, with reconciliation efforts making slow progress.

Imo has a GDP of approximately ₦3.8 trillion, supported by oil production, palm oil processing, and a growing hospitality sector centred on Owerri. Governance approval (43%) is below the national average, reflecting ongoing political polarization and the lingering effects of the 2020-2023 security crisis. The state has significant human capital, with numerous universities and a strong entrepreneurial tradition. Its poverty rate of approximately 24% is near the national average, though the distribution of poverty varies significantly between the relatively prosperous Owerri zone and the more deprived Orlu and Okigwe areas.

Imo's economy has been hard hit by insecurity, which disrupted commerce and investment for several years. Key challenges include rehabilitating the state's once-thriving palm oil industry, addressing youth unemployment (particularly acute among graduates), rebuilding investor confidence after years of instability, and improving infrastructure in the Orlu and Okigwe zones. Owerri's hospitality sector, famous for its weekend tourism and entertainment industry, has shown signs of recovery but remains below pre-crisis levels. The state also faces the challenge of retaining its educated youth, many of whom migrate to Lagos, Abuja, or abroad.

Security has been the dominant political issue in Imo since 2020, with IPOB-related violence, attacks on police stations and INEC offices, and the subsequent military response creating a cycle of instability. The state recorded some of the highest casualty rates in the South-East during the 2021-2023 period. While security has improved since 2024 with the establishment of state-backed vigilante units and increased military presence, the trauma of those years continues to shape political attitudes. Security remains the top concern for voters and a major determinant of electoral behavior.

Voter turnout in Imo has been depressed by insecurity, with the 2023 governorship election recording turnout below 20% in some LGAs. The November 2023 election saw improved but still subdued participation compared to pre-crisis levels. Turnout is typically highest in Owerri municipality and lowest in the Orlu zone, which experienced the most intense security disruptions. The state has historically had an engaged electorate, and there are signs of gradual recovery in civic participation as security conditions improve.

NigeriaPolls conducts face-to-face interviews across Imo's 27 Local Government Areas, with particular security protocols for field teams in previously volatile zones. Our Igbo-speaking field teams are trained in local dialects and follow strict safety and quality control procedures including GPS verification, audio recording of interviews, and daily security briefings. Samples are weighted by LGA population, gender, age, and urban/rural distribution. We maintain flexibility in fieldwork scheduling to adapt to local security conditions.