Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State (a southeastern Nigerian state) and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress party, has declared his candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 elections, saying he accepted a "noble call" from constituents he previously represented in the Senate between 2011 and 2019. His current gubernatorial term does not expire until January 2028, meaning a Senate victory — where the new chamber is expected to be inaugurated in June 2027 — would likely require him to vacate the governorship early. Sources have alleged that Uzodimma is manoeuvring to install a loyalist as a caretaker governor and is ultimately angling for the Senate presidency, though no formal resignation has occurred and his deputy's office has denied reports that she has stepped down.