Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Imo State, Professor Gerald Okeke, has declared his intention to contest next year’s governorship election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Okeke, a specialist in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, said his professional track record and achievements place him in a strong position ahead of the contest.
Speaking to journalists at the Nike Lake Hotel Resort in Enugu, he stated that his entry into the race under ADC makes him “a candidate to beat” in the forthcoming election.
According to the statement, Okeke also explained that he chose the ADC because the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had moved to the party.
The academic is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Climate and Environmental Sustainability and is widely recognised as the first African professor of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability.
He expressed confidence that his credentials and international recognition would boost his chances of securing the party’s ticket and winning the governorship election.
Okeke said his mission is to transform Imo State into an industrial hub capable of attracting major investments across Africa and beyond, while also promising a new phase of transparency and accountability in governance.
He further highlighted his previous contributions to the development of the state, noting his experience and proven record in the oil and gas industry.
However, Okeke said he would be willing to step down from the race for former governor Emeka Ihedioha, describing him as “overqualified for the governorship position in my beloved state.”
His defection to the ADC is seen as strengthening the party’s political presence in the South-East, where notable figures such as Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh and former Ebonyi State governor Sam Egwu have also aligned with the party.
He expressed optimism that the ADC would soon emerge as a dominant political force in the region.
