BREAKING: Governor Hope Uzodimma Sponsors Imo REC, 27 Electoral Officers On Pilgrimage To Jerusalem

SaharaReporters gathered that the pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has sponsored the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), seven Heads of Department, and 27 Electoral Officers on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

SaharaReporters gathered that the pilgrimage is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Multiple sources within the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed to SaharaReporters on Monday that the officials would depart Imo State for Jerusalem as part of this sponsored religious trip.

According to the sources, the delegation is set to gather at the Government House Chapel by noon on Tuesday, where prayers and formal send-off activities will be held before their departure.

"The Rec, 7 Heads of Department, 27 Electoral Officers will leave Imo State for Jerusalem tomorrow by 10pm for pilgrimage, sponsored by Hope Uzodimma," a source said.

Following the gathering at the chapel, the 27 Electoral Officers will proceed to the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, at approximately 3 pm.

The group is then scheduled to depart for Jerusalem at 10 pm the same day, marking the start of their sacred journey.

"They will assemble at Government House Chapel by 12 noon tomorrow, then proceed to Imo airport around 3pm, depart for Jerusalem by 10pm," another source added.

Political or electoral patronage is common in Nigeria.

On December 3, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that president Bola Tinubu has presented a set of luxury vehicles, including a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep, a Toyota Hilux, and a Hummer bus, to each state coordinator of a new political mobilisation structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Multiple sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that the vehicles were handed over under the platform known as the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

The group is a nationwide campaign network spearheaded and fully coordinated by Imo State Governor, Uzodimma.

According to the sources, the presentation took place in Abuja, where state coordinators gathered to receive the vehicles and instructions regarding funding for the 2027 presidential campaign.

“Each of the states was told to contribute N1billion to the purse of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors for Asiwaju’s 2027 campaign,” one of the sources said.

“Governor Uzodimma is the Director General, and everything was done under his supervision.”

Another source revealed that Tinubu’s public endorsement of Uzodimma as the face of the Renewed Hope campaign was deliberate and tied to this new mobilisation structure.

“Do you know that the President purposely announced Governor Uzodimma as the Renewed Hope Ambassador for the Asiwaju 2027 campaign? This is not accidental. The vehicles are part of the political machinery being put in place,” the source added.

One of the sources told SaharaReporters that the timing of the luxury car donations showed a deep disconnect between the federal government and the lived realities of ordinary Nigerians.

A top insider expressed shock that such resources were being deployed for political preparation rather than security reinforcement.

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