Last week I began postulations into what people of Owerri zone would expect in 2015 when hostilities for next general election begin. I concentrated on aspirants from the zone willing to vie for the position using the All Progressive Congress, APC platform. In that regard serving commissioners, Nick Opara Ndudu, Ugochi Nnanna-Okoro and other appointees in Okorocha government like Uche Onyeagocha and Ben Osuji were involved.
In this edition, my searchlight will beam on Chris Asoluka, Sam Daddy Anyanwu and Ernest Ibejiakor, believed to be eyeing the senate under PDP.
In 2011 general election, one man remained popular and loveable in the political sphere. He was destined to make a mark in the political structure of the state until party interest and powerful forces within the PDP family forced him to drop his senatorial ambition to represent Owerri zone. The person is Chief Chris Asoluka. The Okwuruoha of Owerri. Asoluka from Ihiagwa in Owerri West LGA, did not have any portfolio in Ikedi Ohakim government. He was not only influential, but a member of the think-tank team of the administration as big time consultancy programmes were handed over to him.
When 2011 election drew nearer, Asoluka wanted to actualize the name of his title when he made efforts to actualize the “Okwuruoha Owerri” trademark as he joined the bandwagon for the race. Despite the presence of the incumbent, Senator Christy Anyanwu who was gunning for a return ticket, a frontline politician then of the PDP, Lady Nnanna-Okoro, Engr Emma Ojinere and lately Dr (Mrs) Kemafor Chikwe were among contenders it was a common belief in several quarters that Okwuruoha was the anointed one designed for the position. Considering his relationship with Ohakim the governor, the economist and technocrat could be said to be coasting home with victory.
However, the involvement of Kema Chikwe then an Ambassador spoilt the show for Asoluka. For tactical reasons the former minister and now National Woman Leader of the PDP was drafted in and the powers that be within that era swayed support in her favour. Other loyalists of the Ohakim government who were in the race for the senate including Okwuruoha, Ojinere and Nnanna-Okoro carefully respected the will of the party and bowed out thereby leaving Kema Chikwe and a rather resolute senator Christy Anyanwu for the interesting PDP primaries which the former managed to win thereby forcing the incumbent to defect to APGA and won the poll.
There are strong indications that Okwuruoha is back to the beat. Though he is yet to publicly announce intentions to contest but body language and developments in his camp show that he wants to accomplish what he started in 2010/2011 before the abrupt end. Okwuruoha is a known figure in politics of the state, especially in Owerri zone. As a former commissioner during the military era, Okwuruoha also played active roles in successive civilian administration.
Well connected with wide contacts, the Ihiagwa born economic guru maintains a cult figure in the zone.
Within the last few months, Okwuruoha embarked on a reach out with a view to raising campaign machinery and structure that would carry his senatorial project. He has expanded his tentacles and using old routes in the zone as foundation. His foot soldiers are on with the game.
There is no doubt that Okwuruoha has the capabilities and necessary qualities to speak the voice of Owerri zone in the state if his rich pedigree in public speeches is considered. As a chairman of Federal Board, Okwuruoha has garnered experience in national politics. He is one of the strong political heavyweights who has kept faith with PDP by failing to play “Politics of the stomach” that has become prevalent in Imo politics whereby former top PDP chieftains for the sake of being in the corridors of power shift from the party to APGA and later APC with the Okorocha government.
Despite what is going for Okwuruoha, he is not a saint and may not get the senate ticket of PDP on a platter of Gold. Okwuruoha has inherent hurdles to cross before picking the party ticket and emerging victorious at the polls.
For being in the saddle and showing presence in every regime except that of Okorocha, the people of the zone may be worried about his return to power.
The Okorocha administration came with nouveau politicians that is currently taking the shine off those who controlled power in the past. The ghost of Amaraku power station built by the Mbakwe administration is yet to evaporate from the Okwuruoha’s shadow. Despite explanations Okwuruoha has offered, denying complicity in the deal when he served as a commissioner in the state, political opponents have always employed it as an instrument of cheap black mail against his person and political interest.
Sam-Daddy Nnaemeka Anyanwu needs no introduction. The ranking lawmaker who is representing Ikeduru State Constituency a record second time can be considered one of the lucky politicians since our nascent democracy debuted. After acting as Transition Committee Chairman of Ikeduru, Sam Daddy became elected executive chairman of the council. He went further to emerge the member representing the area in 2007 and repeated the feat in 2011.
Unarguably Sam Daddy is running for the senate. Apart from making it known in public fora, the business mogul turned politician has embarked on aggressive political maneuvering in the zone to win the support of not only the delegates but also the final electorates.
The Ikeduru lawmaker is in touch with PDP structure at all levels and is upbeat about the ticket. The luck that has carried the fair-skinned politician to succeed as LGA chairman and member of the House is again driving him to success to the National Assembly.
Having been in the lawmaking body for eight years, Sam Daddy is eminently qualified. Lawmaking is about experience and not necessarily for green horns and mediocres who may waste precious years learning only how to draft a Motion or Bill before garnering courage to speak on the floor of the legislative chamber during plenary session. Anyanwu is not a novice to the system as he is familiar with the intrigues involved in legislative duties and effective representation. His records so far are eloquent testimonies of his qualities and may be considered by the PDP to hand the ticket over to him.
Inspite of the popular belief that majority of the present House of Assembly members of PDP extraction do not show interest in the affairs of the party and working in tandem with the ruling government against the wish of the party, Sam Daddy can be said to be different. He is reported to be attending PDP meetings and has resisted the hook of Okorocha to join APC and be offered APC ticket for senate seat. The Ikeduru lawmaker maintains regular reach with PDP both in his LGA, zone and the state which could also be a big plus at tilting the race to his favour.
Undoutably, Sam Daddy is the favoured politician son of a frontline Chieftain of PDP and one of the foremost leaders in Owerri zone, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. Iwuanyanwu is a factor in Owerri zone politics and his support to his boy, may likely blossom Sam Daddy’s fortunes in 2015.
Since all available political positions are not meant for Sam Daddy, his antagonists will be preaching the popular slogan “Mmanu akara di uto, onye ratu ibe ya aratu” (bean cake oil is sweet, when you take, let another also take). Prominent politicians in the area will definitely kick against his dream for always grabbing positions meant for them.
Though, he has not hidden his love and commitment to PDP, the general impression is that he is part of the elected PDP lawmakers in Imo House who have abdicated their responsibilities to play along with Okorocha led APGA/APC government because of material gains. Members of the public are of the view that he could be a suspect if handed PDP ticket.
Except he begins now to readdress the issues raised and reassure the leadership and members of the party of his unalloyed commitment to PDP, getting the party ticket may be a forgone alternative.
Coming on board again is Hon Ernest Ibejiakor, otherwise known as Nwandaa. Nwandaa has similar traits with Sam Daddy having represented Owerri Municipal Council in the House 1999-2003 before climbing to the House of Reps (2007-2011) to represent Owerri Federal Constituency.
Said to be a restless politician with knack for excellence, Nwandaa is in the race for senate seat and has commenced consultation within the rank and file of the party. The Owerre nchi Ise man is hoping to use his old roots, wide contacts and relationship with Deputy Speaker, Federal House, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, to carry the day. If not for the APGA wave that instituted political upheavals in Imo state, Nwandaa who ran 2011 election with PDP ticket to return to the lower chamber would have succeeded. He was outstanding in 2007-2011 tenure in effective representation and attraction of constituency projects, which necessitated a PDP return ticket. Nwadaa, a socialite wants to take another shot and possibly try popularity within the party and the zone.
Nwandaa’s absence from grassroots politics since he lost out in 2011 has greatly affected his political fortunes and would definitely be a big minus to his senatorial ambition.
His abandoned structure and field Marshalls may have found their ways to other camps since the ex-lawmaker became Abuja person and went into hibernation. His poor outreach beyond his Owerri Federal Constituency boundaries may make if difficult for him to garner enough support in Mbaike and Ikeduru clans for the ticket.
As 2015 draws nearer, let us continue to watch the political climate.
