There is a lot of apprehension over next month’s senatorial election in Imo State. It is no longer easy to determine what the outcome of the National Assembly elections will be in the state, due to several factors. Ordinarily, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should be able to win the three senatorial seats in the election, based on the performance of Governor Hope Uzodimma in close to four years.

But, it is not going to be that easy; three other major parties in the race cannot be dismissed with a wave of the hand. They are the main opposition party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP).

The outcome of the election will depend not only on the popularity of each of the parties, but also those of the candidates.

Imo West:

The recent sacking of the PDP candidate in the Imo West senatorial race, Jones Onyeareri may have created an opportunity for the other parties in the contest.

Onyereri (PDP):

The Supreme Court last Friday nullified the primary that produced Onyeareri as the flag bearer of the party on the ground that it was conducted in Owerri, the Imo State capital, instead of Orlu being the headquarters of the district.

In a judgment on the appeal filed by Nnamdi Ezeani, Justice Emmanuel Agim said that the PDP grossly violated Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act by conducting the primary outside the venue stipulated by law. The apex court declared that based on the judgment, the PDP will not participate in the next month’s senatorial election, having failed to produce its candidate within the time allowed by law.

Supporters of the party have been saddened by the judgment.

Izunaso (APC):

Pundits believe that the nullification will make the contest easy for the APC candidate, Osita Izunaso to win the Imo West senatorial election.

Izunaso was a member of the House of Representatives for eight years from 2003 to 2007 and the Senate from 2007 to 2011. He is familiar with the terrain. He was also the National Organizing Secretary of the APC. While at the National Assembly, he sponsored bills that attracted the Assa Gas Plant to Ohaji-Egbema Local Government, influenced the construction of the Owerri-Onitsha Road, canvassed for the creation of Njaba State, which encompasses 12 local governments in Orlu Zone, as against the creation of Urashi State because the latter will excise about 10 local governments in Orlu Zone. He appears to have Governor Uzodimma’s backing for his current senatorial bid. Nevertheless, the insecurity in the area has created bad blood between the governor and his people.

Ahize (LP):

But, Izunaso has a formidable foe in the LP candidate for the Imo West race. The LP flag bearer, who is from Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta axis, is believed to be a popular choice that can deprive Izunaso of the seat. Stakeholders in Orlu, the headquarters of the district, are not happy with the PDP leadership for disqualifying one of their sons, Jones Onyereri at the last minute. This, they say, throws the Imo West race open.

The elimination of the PDP candidate from the race, it is said, has increased the chances of the LP candidate, Chief Charles Ugochukwu Ahize who is a top businessman and philanthropist. Ahize is one of the most successful dealers in automobiles and pharmaceuticals in the country. He is equally believed to be enjoying the support of some PDP chieftains, following the elimination of Onyeareri from the race by the Supreme Court.

Imo East:

In Imo East, popularly known as Owerri zone, is another rough terrain laced with bitterness and full of politicians that former President Olusegun Obasanjo would call “bad belle” people.

Onyeawuchi (LP):

One of the candidates contesting in this zone is Francis Ezenwa Onyewuchi, a serving senator on the platform of the PDP. But, he will be contesting next month’s election on the platform of the LP.

Onyewuchi is a two-time member of the House of Representatives and therefore a ranking member of the National Assembly. A graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the ESUT Business School, he holds a Master’s degree in Management. His experience stands him out. He jumped ship after he was denied the ticket of the PDP during the primary.

He may ride on the back of the popularity of the LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi in the state. Incidentally, the presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled to take place on the same day; February 25. So, people voting for the presidential candidate of different political parties are likely to choose National Assembly candidates of the same party. This is why he is likely to get sympathy votes during the election considering the popularity of the LP presidential candidate in the state.

Anthony (APGA):

Chyma Anthony is the candidate of the APGA in Imo East. A lawyer with considerable experience in and out of the courtroom, Anthony is a well-established businessman with measurable success. He is a philanthropist and a community leader. Anthony is a clan chief (high chief) in Ikeduru Local Government; he holds a key place in community affairs and is a major contributor to community projects. He is respected both at home and abroad.

The APGA candidate’s passion for giving selflessly to the less privileged in society no doubt may give him an edge in the election. But, his party’s dwindling popularity and the influence of godfathers in the election may deny Anthony the opportunity to represent the people of Imo East at the Senate, otherwise known as the Red Chamber. The APGA appears to have lost the backing of the people in Imo State. As a result, the party’s chances of winning the election are very low; it can be compared to the head of a cow passing through the eye of a needle. This is due to the party’s dwindling fortune.

Onyeagocha (PDP):

Uche Onyeagocha is the candidate of the PDP in the Imo East race. If the election is going to be based on the outspokenness and vibrancy of the candidates, Onyeagocha is the man to beat. He is a former member of the House of Representatives; he represented Owerri Federal Constituency at the National Assembly between 2003 and 2007. In 2003, he became the first All APGA lawmaker in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

Onyeagocha had contested several elective positions, including governorship in the past. He was appointed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during the short-lived administration of Emeka Ihedioha.

He has promised to give the people an effective representation in the Senate if elected. But, Onyeagocha’s opportunity to represent his people in the Senate may be threatened because of the internal wranglings in the PDP. The party is factionalised between the Emeka Ihedioha group and the Samuel Anyanwu, aka Samddady, group over who picks the party governorship ticket in the state. Onyeagocha is rumoured to have been sacked by Supreme Court.

He however told The Nation that he is very much in the race, contrary to reports that the Supreme Court has sacked him from the Imo East senatorial race.

Mbata (APC):

Prince Alex Mbata, otherwise known by his acronym, PAM, is a newcomer in Imo politics, especially in the Owerri zone. He has no political experience. Although his admirers describe him as a philanthropic gentleman, it is not very clear what his grassroots support base looks like. But he has the support of the governor and he has a good chance of clinching the position because of the growing popularity of the APC in Imo State.

Imo North:

The major candidates for the Imo North senatorial race are Patrick Ndubueze of the APC and Ifeanyi Araraume Jr who is flying the flag of the LP. There is also Emmanuel Okewulonu of the PDP in the race.

Ndubueze (APC):

Patrick Ndubueze is the flag bearer of the APC in the Imo North Senatorial District, also known as the Okigwe zone. The APC candidate has promised a better deal for the Okigwe zone, which has been neglected by successive administrations in the past. Ndubueze has promised to make a difference if elected a senator to represent the zone.

Ndubueze was a member of the House of Representatives during the aborted Third Republic in 1992, at the age of 29. He believes that if he could represent the constituency well 30 years ago as a youth that he will improve his performance this time around. However, the issue of popularity will play a crucial role in determining who goes to the Senate in the zone. But, like other APC candidates, the governor’s backing will provide the much-needed assistance to help Ndubueze in his bid to represent the zone.

Araraume Jr, (LP):

Araraume Jr is the son a former Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. He is a lawyer and hopes to represent Imo North in the Red Chambers. Aged 40, the young man is hoping to attract a Federal Medical Centre in his senatorial zone. He also desires to champion a bill for the creation of a Federal University in the zone to stimulate the economy, as well as create job opportunities for his people. He wants to ensure that the Southeast Development Commission Bill still stuck in the Senate sees the light of day, among other things. Although a vibrant and energetic young, Araraume Jnr apart from having an unsettled legal tussle hanging on his neck over his emergence as the LP candidate, his father’s past activities will determine if he will win or lose the seat. Imo indigenes hardly forget the past, whether good or evil, because, in all this, the people are the ultimate deciders in every free and fair election.

An independent survey recently conducted in the constituency suggests that most of the candidates are not carrying out the grassroots campaign. They concentrate more on street posters and billboards. Some stakeholders, however, insist that two major factors will ensure victory in any electoral contest. They are the strength of the political platform and the popularity or acceptability of the candidate in question.

In the case of the APC, its Publicity Secretary, Cajetan Duke said the party is the most stable and attractive political platform in Imo State today.

He said: “When you access the strength of our platform today in Imo State, it is the most stable, popular, attractive, united and strong political party. Our strength is predicated on the high level of internal cohesion, effective leadership and unity of purpose.

“Every party member is committed to our overall success in the election. The stake is high because everyone wants to present evidence of his or her influence in their respective polling units. With a formidable political party, the next to winning the election is the popularity of the candidates involved, in terms of street credibility.

“I can confirm to you that all the candidates flying our party’s flag emerged through an institutionalized process of party primaries, wherein they emerged on their merits. All our candidates enjoy name recognition with the masses in their respective constituencies due to their proven antecedent of public and community services.”

Other respondents, however, are not impressed by the calibre of contestants in the senatorial race. They also say the campaigns of most candidates are colourless. A gender activist, Angela Nkwo described it thus: “It’s lacklustre, absolutely no colour. A lot of children and youths haven’t seen campaigns because of insecurity. I think it’s been reduced to WhatsApp handle campaigns and the contest is too close to call.”

Another analyst, Athan Agbakuru is of the view that the Imo senatorial race is going to be a hot one this time around because the candidates believe that votes will count and many of them are determined to win. He said: “The APC appears to have an upper hand. Candidates flying the party’s flag will enjoy the backing of Governor Uzodimma and other advantages of belonging to the ruling party. On the other hand, the PDP, being the leading opposition party, would enjoy the sympathy of the electorate because of the failure of the APC to deliver on its election promises.

“Similarly, the LP candidate is basking in the euphoria of Igbo sentiment for Peter Obi since the presidential and National Assembly polls are going to hold on the same day.” (The Nation)

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