By Chibuzor Ugochukwu
Owerri zone politics is a perfect example where those who rake the muck and the muck-rakers co-exist. You see that in the teeming number of persons who want to represent the zone in the red chambers of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are all jostling to succeed the incumbent, the ebullient Senator Chris Anyanwu whose second tenure expires in June 2015.
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirants are lining up and few more are expected to join as the tempo of the race increases. But who will clinch the party ticket? What qualities should the PDP delegates in Owerri Zone consider before casting their ballot in the party primaries billed for sometime in October?
To deeply appreciate the manner of personality that would seamlessly succeed the incumbent Senator and guide Owerri zone to its desired socio-economic £um political destination, it is imperative to go on a voyage of discovery of the people and politics of Owerri Zone. This position is further strengthened by the standard and candor Senator Chris Anyanwu has set in her two tenures of representation of the zone on the floor of the Senate. Therefore, any personality that must succeed her most not only be qualified, but must have the wherewithal to surpass the achievements and stability Senator Chris has brought to bear. Owerri Zone is a zone brimming with sound intellectuals, seasoned technocrats, well-heeled business people, notable politicians and globally acclaimed professionals.
It is therefore a well rounded Senatorial Zone. The race to represent it should not be replete with all the appurtenances of a typical kindergarten race. With the entrepreneurial prowess of the typical Mbaise and Mbaike people, the gutsy spirit of the Ngor Okpala and Owerri man and imbued derring-do of the average Owerri Zone man, the zone is undoubtedly laden with a group of uncommon creatures.
As the landlords of the State Capital territory, the people of Owerri Zone has not faired less in the political activities of the State and the Country. To posit that the politics of Imo State is incomplete without Owerri Zone is to state the obvious. A collection of these factors have positioned the Zone in a prime position in the politics of the State.
This is why the zone needs a pragmatic, selfless, public-spirited leader, a person of integrity who can easily connect with the people and give them what they desire. Not people with a history of brigandage and wanton indulgence in vainglory. What Owerri Zone needs today and tomorrow is a leader, a person they can trust, a man who has in time past demonstrated an uncommon knack to engender development even with limited resources. Among the motley crowd of contenders and pretenders to the PDP ticket of Owerri Zone Senate, only Hon Samdaddy Nnaemeka Anyanwu, an elegantly simple businessman turned politician fits into this leadership mould.
With a handsome and likeable look, Hon Samdaddy has bestrode the Imo State political scene like a colossus. He remains the only person in living memory who amassed the highest followership and admiration from his subjects while in office as the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA, and as the member representing Ikeduru in the hallowed chambers of the Imo State House of Assembly. His connections with the people has nothing to do with his oratorical suavity or persuasive dexterity, it owes much to his indelible landmarks and footprints of development.
The biblical cliche in the holy writ of proverbs which says “seems thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before men of low estate” aptly describes Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu, PDP Aspirant for Owerri Zone Senate. He is passionate with little details such that nothing escapes his sights. He seems to see beyond the ordinary, which makes him to personally attend to little details until he achieves the desired perfection. This is the kind of man that can represent Owerri Zone in the Senate.
It is important to note that since the emergence of Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu in politics and PDP, the party has not being the same again. He did not only win the Local Government election for the party in a keenly contested election, he has hugely changed the fortunes of the party in Ikeduru and Imo State in general. The popularity and growing strength of the PDP could be traced to this loyal, hardworking, urbane and humble politician.
As the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Area between 2003 and 2007 under the PDP, Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu has remained as constant as the northern star, as far as loyalty to the party is concerned. He used the delivery of the dividends of democracy to build a solid foundation and support base for the party in the area. Hon Samdaddy’s tenure as the council head witnessed a transformation both in human capital development and infrastructural development. He launched a free computer training programme for youths in Ikeduru that kick started a computer revolution in Ikeduru. Hon. Anyanwu as LGA Chairman constructed the Afor-lolo Amaimo road, built the perimeter fence of the Council Secretariat, sunk boreholes in various communities in the Council including the borehole at the Council Secretariat, he constructed market stalls in major markets in Ikeduru, gave bursary to students of Ikeduru origin studying in institutions of higher learning, among other visible achievements.
Naturally, this litany of achievements like bees to honey expanded the membership scope of the PDP in Ikeduru, as well as brought unprecedented goodwill to the party. Interestingly, this accomplishments instead of getting into the head of Samdaddy and making him intransigent further reinforced his loyalty to the party. The name Samdaddy and by extension PDP became a household name in Ikeduru, and also synonymous with the delivery of the dividends of democracy. This is the major reason why till date it will be very difficult for another political party to win election in Ikeduru.
In the words of George Washington, the doyen of the American nation “great minds have purposes others have wishes, little minds attain greatness and are subdued by misfortunes, but great minds rise above them”. In the State House of Assembly, Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu became a rallying point for all PDP members in the House. He combined his brilliance in the area of bills and motions on the floor of the House with active participation in party activities thereby justifying his election by his constituents as well as confirming his position as a loyal party man.
Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu has sponsored three bills in the Imo State House of Assembly, and co-sponsored over sixteen other bills ant motions. Chiefly among them is the Customary Court amendment law? law that enabled lawyers to preside over Customary Courts in the State as against the old practice of using lay people. This law provided job opportunities for lawyers. The House of Assembly motion that provide basic infrastructure to traders at the timber and allied market Naze was also sponsored by Hon Samdaddy. Today, traders at this market v never forget the name SAMDADDY.
This quintessential legislator has facilitated the employment of over sixty youths of Ikeduru in the State ministries, agencies and parastatals. Most of the people he gave admission into institutions of higher learning are currently studying now, and those he gave job will forever remain grateful to this selfless politician. His investments in youth activities are truly second to none. Hon Samdaddy as records have it is the only Ikeduru politician that has consistently supported the National Youth Council of Nigeria Ikeduru Chapter and other student bodies. These explain the numerous awards at his disposal.
What is remarkable about this politician is that in choosing to remain with the PDP to pursue his political career, he has come to understand that opportunities never come to those who wait; they are captured by those who dare to attack.
Hon Samdaddy has continued to attack in the pursuit of his political career but is doing so with politeness and every sense of responsibility. In pledging his continued allegiance to the PDP, the generous Hon Samdaddy shines the light on the dark alley of party loyalty so thin inhabited in our political system. With politicians like Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu, there is still hope for the party and our politics. Hon. Samdaddy’s financial support to the party has remained legendary. Little wonder his frequent visits to the party secretariat are always greeted with tumultuous welcome. “Action” is his second name.
Happily, the leadership of the PDP in the State has continued to acknowledge the uncommon loyalty of this sagacious lawmaker, and one is upbeat that the party will look at the direction of Hon Samdaddy when it is time to reward loyalty.
