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By Amanze Ajoku
Since the nullification of Uche Ekwunife’s election as the Senator for Anambra Central, the permutations on the upcoming Anambra Central senatorial re-run election has gone into a tailspin.
On the part of APGA, Victor Umeh is sitting pretty as the nominee. But on the part of APC, to which Ekwunife has decamped, there’s a pall of uncertainty issuing especially from the recent APC primary which is as yet inconclusive, even as pundits are predicting that she will end up denied the ticket.
Then, on the part of PDP, it seems the party has finally gotten it’s acts together by standing behind Dr Obiora Okonkwo, the presumptive winner of the primary conducted in late 2014 for the later annulled 2015 election. Given this scenario, I set out on a mission to find out more about the man Obiora Okonkwo, with a view to assessing his electability in the new scheme of things.
First, here’s his his bio: Dr Okonkwo, a political scientist and economist is the founder of the famed Nigeria-Belgium Business Forum (NBBF). In his home State of Anambra, he holds the high traditional office as the leader of Nzuko Imeobi Idemili North and South, the top traditional and political organization of all Idemili, the nerve-center of Anambra Central Senatorial District. He also holds the coveted title of Dikeora Idemili.
A highly religious man, Dr Obiora Okonkwo is the political and economic adviser to the Archbishop of Onitsha and coordinator of the Anambra State Good Governance Forum (ASGGOF). I learned from credible sources that he has garnered the endorsement of the traditional and political leaders of the zone. He has to his credit many national and international awards of excellence in industry and philanthropy.
According to the Vanguard newspaper, Dr Obiora Okonkwo “is said to meet the expectations of the stakeholders. Idemili North is known for its dense population and has always played significant roles in emergence of any winner in Anambra governorship or Central senatorial contest. The area is said to account for almost 50 per cent of votes in the seven councils in the zone. He is also considered as a bridge-builder in Anambra politics, given his friendly disposition to the various PDP tendencies in the state”. From my field inquiries, this analysis appears to have captured the general view of the voters of the zone.
In addition to the myriad goodwill he enjoys from the elites of the zone, Dr Okonkwo has also grabbed the endorsement of over ten thousand Keke drivers and thousands of bus drivers, hailing from the zone. This set of highly energized and motivated voters are said to have agreed to display Dr Okonkwo’s campaign banners on their vehicles, and to do door-to-door for him. He’s the only candidate that appears to have garnered such mass support and appeal across the board, in recent times.
The foregoing is but a few of the strengths Dr Obiora Okonkwo possesses that have enhanced the chances of PDP to more easily win the senate seat. In my next serial, I will assess the chances (or lack thereof) of Victor Umeh of APGA, and who (between Ekwunife and Ikeazor) that finally emerges as the APC candidate.
Amanze Ajoku, a political analyst writes from amanzeajoku@yahoo.com