This piece started a fortnight ago was cut short when I made a detour last week to have a stake on the just concluded Osun governorship election, won by incumbent Rauf Aregbesola, and its possible effects on next general election in Imo by considering the APC background of both the re-elected governor and Imo state Chief executive, Rochas Okorocha, should he seek a second term ticket in 2015.
In the commentary, I made a brief x-ray on the aspirants running under the banner of the APC, namely; Ugochi Nnanna Okoro, Nick OparaNdudi, Uche Onyeagocha, and Ben Osuji considered to be frontliners in the race. Consequently, those of the PDP will have their turn this week.
Piloting PDP chances for the National Assembly elections for Imo East is Sam Daddy Anyanwu. A ranking lawmaker who has proved his mettle in the Imo State House of Assembly where he has been representing the interest of Ikeduru state constituency since 2007, a former local government chairman of the area, luck has always trailed Sam Daddy’s political adventure and pundits are of the opinion that 2015 will not be an exception as he may likely grab PDP ticket and go ahead to win.
Sam Daddy stands tall among the pack of PDP contenders and is highly favoured if legislative experience and knowledge is a factor to be considered in voting the rightful candidate. Apart from his kinsman, Kelechi Kennedy Nwagwu a former representative of Ikeduru state constituency and one time speaker of the House, who is also in the race, the Amaimo-Ikeduru-born seasoned lawmaker is best qualified for the position based on legislative knowhow.
The beauty of lawmaking is legislative experience. Experts in legislative business are of the opinion that experienced lawmakers do better than neophytes in National Assembly as they may not spend part of their four years learning how to move a motion or propose a bill. Having being in a lawmaking body for years, Anyanwu has the capacity to integrate easily in legislative business instead of learning the ropes involved on constituency representation and necessary oversight function which are components of lawmaking.
Observers can quickly point out that SamDddy has not only started an early race for Senate but has also embarked on necessary reachout to all the stakeholders across the nine local government areas that make up Owerri zone. It is also on record that among the remaining PDP lawmakers in the House of Assembly after the four that decamped to other parties on the day of inauguration, the fair-skinned lawmaker has remained an unrepentant PDP apostle in the state legislature and has gone further to oil the party’s machinery in his constituency and beyond.
Despite the minority status, SamDaddy with other PDP lawmakers found themselves in Imo Assembly, the Ikeduru member has been able to justify reasons why he was elected in 2007 and secured a second missionary journey ticket amidst opposition in 2011.
He has to his credit several motions and bills more than his contemporaries which hitherto earned him a status symbol as a respected ranking lawmaker of the State Assembly.
What may however affect Sam Daddy’s chances in getting PDP ticket is the interest of former speaker, Kelechi Nwagwu. The political calculation is that since Mbaise Ngor Okpala bloc with three LGAs; Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte has no serious contender, the battle is now between core Owerri LGAs Owerri West, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal with less than four aspirants and Mbaike; made up of Mbaitolu and Ikeduru LGAs. The four Owerri aspirants are Ernest Ibejiakor from municipal and the trio of Chris Asoluka, Dan Okehi and Onyemauche Igbokwe from Owerri West. While SamDaddy and Nwagwu may likely share the Mbaike votes, the Owerri Federal Constituency quartet will make do with the three LGAs leaving the four LGAs of Mbaise/Ngor Okpala as deciding factors.
Ibejiakor is not a new name in politics of the state. A relevant personality during the reign of Achike Udenwa as governor, the Owerri Nchi Ise born lawmaker represented the capital city in Imo State House of Assembly 1999-2003. The following political dispensation saw him become a political appointee under Udenwa as SA Security Matters. In 2007, he was on the path of luck again to carry PDP flag to the House of Reps to be of Owerri Federal Constituency man in Abuja
Ibejiakor’s political sagacity saw him earn another ticket from PDP in 2011 but that was the end of the show when Ezenwa Onyewuchi knocked him off the ring. The diminutive politician is on the march again this time for Owerri zone Senate even as much has not been heard from him over the rumoured ambition. As an old war horse familiar with the political terrain in Owerri land, Ibejiakor, fondly called Nwandaa may be keeping his strategy close to his chest. Nwandaa has an ample opportunity of grabbing the PDP since he has old political routes in Owerri Federal constituency. What he needs is to extend hands of fellowship to Mbaike and Mbaise/Ngor Okpala ends to see how far he can go. In terms of credility, the four years Nwandaa spent on the Green Chamber also sold him into the hearts and minds of some Owerri people with his ma eri, ga eri (if I am eating, you are eating) type of politics.
Among the aspirants from Owerri Federal Constituency gunning for the PDP ticket, Nwandaa has ample opportunity to excel in view of the fact that other challengers are form Owerri West where splitting of votes in inevitable whereas he is from Municipal.
However, in recent times, there is nothing tangible showing that Nwandaa is warning up for election thereby sending ominous signs of early defeat. Like other contenders who are deeply involved in the billboard craze and display of campaign posters, scamp Nwandaa is not forthcoming and nothing is heard from the ex-lawmaker.
After running for ticket of PDP for the failed bid to be number one citizen of Imo in 2007, and Federal House lawmaker in 2011, Nwagwu is back to the scene. The speaker Emeritus of Imo Assembly is going beyond media briefing to show intention for the race.
Believed to be a chip of the old block, Nwagwu is embarking on several factors to merit the PDP position. People of his Ikembara/Ngugo ward can not deny him the credit of bequeathing them with atleast a legacy when he was number one lawmaker of the state. The Ngugo-Ochicha- Ikembara road from the Owerri-Okigwe highway by Amalim junction can be attributed to him.
Nwagwu can be said to be attempting to try popularity and acceptability test again since he seems to have gone into political oblivion after commandeering the gavel of the House of Assembly 2001-2007. Though, he is running under PDP, but a cursory review of his political itinerary indicate that he is not steady and may not be able to command much powers at the local levels. Nwagwu’s shaky stay in PDP may be his albatross at picking the party’s ticket as he may not have contributed to the formation of the state PDP ward Exco at all levels.
Similar to the case of earlier mentioned aspirants, Nwagwu can be said to have a measure of rich political pedigree. The campaign office of a governorship aspirant in Imo, Jerry Chukwueke once served as Nwagwu’s campaign office in 2007. Even as he seems to have lost some grounds in the political field through alienation as a result of political hibernation, Nwagwu may exploit old contacts to bounce back to reckoning in the political firmament of Owerri zone.
Considered to be one of the favourites for the PDP ticket for Owerri zone Senate is Chris Asoluka, the Okwuruoha of Owerri. An accomplished gentleman, economic expert and orator of a sort, Okwuruoha was one of the top contenders alongside Emma Ojinere Kema Chikwe (Mrs) Nnanna-Okoro (Mrs) and Christy Anyanwu (Mrs) in 2011 PDP Senate struggle before the lot fell on Chikwe, who got beaten by the incumbent, then of APGA at the final poll. Asoluka is not also new in the game of seeking public mandate. Before Nigeria’s nascent democracy, he won election to represent Owerri Federal Constituency and once acted as a commissioner during the military era. In the present dispensation, Asoluka seems to be playing “hide and seek” game. The member of a federal board may likely not go ahead with the Senate bid if his outward gestures are anything to go by. Few months to the election, the Ihagwa, Owerri West born politician is yet to publicly declare for the race. What observers keep getting are rather subtle campaign measures to sell his candidacy which are not bold statements to show he wants to be Owerri zone man in Abuja.
Even as he has tried to debunk the allegation of his involvement in the sale of Amaraku power station several years ago, during the military regime, the controversial issue will always rear its ugly head anytime he seeks public office. The high number of Owerri West aspirants for the PDP Senate position is another factor likely to rob the shine off his desire. While other contestants from other LGAs will have few challengers, the former commissioner will be battling with two more Owerri West aspirants for the PDP ticket.
From Lagos is one of the new entrants in the politics of Owerri zone, Dan Okehi. An insurance guru and expert in financial matters, Okeli hails form Orogwe in Owerri West LGA. Not much has been heard from Okehi than in the last political dispensation when he was involved in an arrangement through his firm for payment of outstanding allowances to owed former councilors and LGA chairmen. The mastery Okehi’s company exhibited in discharging the assignment was a big plus that may have incensed him to warm up for Senate. Okehi has the advantage of becoming a virgin politician among the pack who will not be affected by any worrisome “baggage” to hamper his ambition.
As a fresh contender, Okehi will defunctly pay certain supreme sacrifices. He will definctly work extra miles to outsmart old war horses and reliables in the scene. As a Lagosians who may not be aware of actual location of wards and its leaders for the delegate list across the nine LGAs of Owerri zone, an uphill task lies ahead for Okehi.
The last but defincly not the least among those jostling for PDP Senate position is Onyemauche Igbokwe. Igbokwe is from Obinze in Owerri West LGA. A gentleman and great philanthropist who had an eventful career in Nigeria Breweries before delving into politics, Igbokwe who can be said to be a new pillar in Owerri West politics is counting on his social services to his people as a launch pad to political greatness. A lawyer by training, 2015 PDP Senate primaries for Owerri zone will be baptism of fire for Igbokwe that is said to have of late developed a cult figure in his locality.
As the hands of the clock keep tickling towards 2015, we keep monitoring events through political binoculars for further update on the Owerri zone race to Abuja.
