Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party’s alignment with the Rainbow Coalition will unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Imo governorship election.

Anyanwu was reacting to remarks by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who on Tuesday warned APC members against working with political coalitions outside the party.

Uzodimma gave the warning during the inauguration of the Imo chapter of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, which is mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“There is no rainbow coalition in Imo State,” the governor said, warning members of the movement against working outside the ruling party.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media adviser, Ikenna Onuoha, Anyanwu described the alignment between the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition as the only way to end the APC’s control of Imo State.

He also accused APC leaders of fearing the emerging opposition alliance because, according to him, they were concerned about losing their ability to manipulate elections.

“The APC in Imo State and its leaders are afraid of PDP and the Rainbow Coalition,” Anyanwu said.

“Their statement during the unveiling of the Door-to-Door initiative on Tuesday, in Owerri that Rainbow coalition has no basis in the state is a testament that the party and its drivers are frustrated and confused.

“Imo people are aware that APC leaders in the state have been rejected and jilted. The party is currently seen as ‘Ebola’ disease that has no cure even after being quarantined.”

The PDP chieftain also criticised the Uzodimma administration over what he described as its failure to address the state’s infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic challenges.

He said the government should have repaired rural roads, equipped hospitals with modern technology, improved the economy and raised educational standards.

Anyanwu further called on the state government to engage lecturers at Imo State University (IMSU), whom he said had been on strike for three months.

He accused the administration of making empty promises and worsening residents’ hardship instead of apologising for its alleged shortcomings.

“Imo people are weary of the 3R government and their tricks,” he said.

“It is embarrassing that instead of the administration in the state to apologize to Imo people for failing abysmally, the administration is busy insulting and provoking Imo people, making empty promises and creating unnecessary hunger.”

Anyanwu urged the APC-led government to acknowledge what he described as residents’ desire for an alternative through the PDP and the Rainbow Coalition.

Anyanwu, a former senator, was the PDP candidate in the November 11, 2023 Imo governorship election, which Uzodimma won with 540,308 votes against Anyanwu’s 71,503, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Uzodimma won in all 27 local government areas of the state. (Arise News)