(DDM) – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally appointed Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the Federal Government’s new “Renewed Hope Ambassador,” a strategic political and developmental role tied to the forthcoming national implementation of the Ward Development Programme.
The announcement emerged as preparations intensify for the nationwide rollout of the initiative, which is expected to strengthen grassroots governance and accelerate community-level development across Nigeria.
DDM gathered that the appointment positions Uzodimma as the central mobilisation figure responsible for coordinating political, administrative, and social structures that will drive the Renewed Hope agenda at the ward level.
Officials within the presidency describe the Ward Development Programme as one of the administration’s biggest people-focused interventions, designed to directly impact communities through tailored development projects, citizen engagement, and poverty-reduction mechanisms.
The appointment of Governor Uzodimma, a two-term governor and influential figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), reflects his growing prominence within the party’s national framework.
According to insiders, the Federal Government is seeking strong political mobilisation machinery ahead of major programme launches scheduled for 2026, and Uzodimma is seen as one of the governors capable of delivering large-scale coordination across party structures.
Observers note that this new designation further reinforces the long-standing alliance between President Tinubu and Governor Uzodimma, who also served as chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and played a key role in mobilising support for the APC during previous national elections.
Government officials explain that the Ward Development Programme aims to decentralise development planning by empowering ward-level committees, local administrators, and civic groups to participate directly in identifying needs and implementing projects.
The programme is expected to cover infrastructure upgrades, public health interventions, agricultural support, skills acquisition projects, and community security initiatives.
Political analysts say the choice of Uzodimma is not surprising, considering his reputation for strong party mobilisation and his strategic influence in the South-East, a region where the APC seeks to strengthen political support and improve federal–state collaboration.
Presidency sources also reveal that the appointment may signal a broader restructuring within the APC’s national coordination framework as the party prepares for upcoming off-cycle elections and long-term governance reforms.
Supporters of the administration argue that assigning experienced political actors to the Renewed Hope agenda will ensure effective implementation and accountability at grassroots level.
Critics, however, caution that the programme must not be reduced to political patronage, warning that transparency and measurable results will be necessary to maintain public trust.
Governor Uzodimma has not yet released an official statement, but aides say he is expected to unveil his mobilisation roadmap in the coming days, outlining how each ward will participate in the national programme.
The Federal Government is expected to announce further appointments as the rollout date approaches, signalling a new phase in the administration’s push for inclusive development.