Anybody familiar with events that characterized the emergence of Rt Hon Bethel Amadi as the PDP candidate for the 2011 House of Representative position for Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency and eventual victory at the polls will no doubt agree that the next general election will be dicey.
The ranking lawmaker from Akabo Ikeduru who is having a three-time shot emerged victorious in all the 2011 battles by hairs breath. Part of Rt Hon Amadi’s headache in the race to Abuja was his desire to go for a third shot through the mandate of both LGAs.
Even as Rt Hon Amadi was of the dominant PDP, the predominant party during that era, the chances of the present President of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, having a clean state was slim, no thanks to spontaneous opposition against his third term bid.
Since our nascent democracy debuted, Amadi and few persons hold an enviable record of being in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly more than their predecessors. After, Hon Uche Nwole from Mbaitoli served out in 2003, Amadi stepped in ten years ago and would quit in 2015.
As 2015 is fast approaching, it would be suicidal for Amadi to launch a fresh bid for House of Reps ticket if Charter of Equity and fair play should be considered. There is no gainsaying in the fact that politicians from Mbaitoli sector would join the fray in an attempt to succeed the Ikeduru man. The sagacity and acceptability of politicians from Mbaitoli who are interested in the position will definitely determine where the pendulum will automatically swing.
In the last count, unconfirmed reports and premature political permutations indicate that about nine persons have not only commenced consultations, but also oiling their political machinery within the Mbaitoli and Ikeduru LGAs, otherwise known as Mbaike Clan. Leading the pack of the would be aspirants is Mrs Ijeoma Nwafor, the charming daughter of former INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu. Despite a disconnect in her growing political profile since she lost out in the contest two years ago, Mrs Nwafor is reported to be warming up for another titanic struggle for the soul of Mbaike. Despite loosing out, Mrs Nwafor pulled surprises in 2011, when she gave Amadi a run for his money for the PDP ticket. Alleged to have enjoyed patronage and support from Governor Ikedi Ohakim camp, the Mbaike PDP primaries in 2011 was historic as it became a ding-dong affair between the eventual winner, Amadi and Nwafor. The struggle reached a crescendo where prospective voters were dragged to Owerri the state capital, instead of Nworieubi for another voting drama.
Having overcome the 2011 trauma, Mrs Nwafor from Ogwa is reportedly renewing her National Assembly ambition. Most of her allies who were committed to her project four years ago are gradually uniting for another challenge. Mrs Nwafor is relying on the strong footprints she laid few years ago during the maiden attempt. Since she is no longer a green horn in active politics and the Herculean task of seeking public mandate, the former political appointee to Ohakim is moving on a familiar terrain hoping to get sympathy support as a female contestant and one whose dreams were cut short by Amadi’s third term bid.
Following Mrs Nwafor is the member representing Mbaitoli, in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ndunagu. Competent sources revealed that the opening that may grant Mbaitoli chance to produce the next Reps Member is making the member of the state legislature throw his hat into the ring. Apparently aware that he may not get a second ticket to the House of Assembly and may be favoured to pick the ticket because of his Mbaitoli descent and APGA background, the Ifakala-born lawmaker is said to be holding consultations with his political family and allies for the Reps job. Seeking the face of people outside his constituency is another indication that he is not in a hurry to quit electoral contest as he is reported to be having meetings with people in Mbaike Clan. Since some of those who are reported to have shown interest seem to be PDP compliant, Ndunagu may grab another opportunity to steal the show as experienced in 2011, when he dumped his toga of a perennial loser to win the Mbaitoli assembly seat. It would be recalled that Ndunagu has ran for elective positions in the past but failed until in 2011 when the APGA tsunami, supposedly gave him victory.
Joining frontliners for the Mbaike Reps seat is Barr Dona Iwuagwu. The Iwuagwus of Obazu Mbieri should be a familiar name to political watchers in the state who may not forget in a hurry the shortlived exploits of late Senator Amah Iwuagwu who represented Owerri Zone 2003-2005 before the cold hands of death took him away. Senator Eze Ajoku from Amaeze Obibiezena in Owerri North completed his tenure. Another Iwuagwu wants to toe the brother’s footsteps even as one of the Iwuagwu’s made attempts to succeed his late Senator brother during the bye-election to fill the gap created by the death.
Dan Iwuagwu is a foreign based lawyer with vested interest in politics of the state. The late Senator’s brother has commenced intensive notification exercises and awareness approach to political kingmakers and oracles. He is reported to be conscripting co-ordinators and relevant persons for a veritable political structure ahead 2015. Since he is also from Mbaitoli, the coast is also clear for him to join the contest.
Though he may have not been actively involved in politics of the state for sometime, but the former Executive Chairman of Mbaitoli LGA, Chief Osita Opara has a plan for 2015. His plan is to represent Mbaike Federal Constituency. Chief Opara is relying on his old political roots and machinery to grab the opportunity. The 1988 University of Nigeria graduate is back to the beat for aggressive politicking ahead of 2015. Taking into consideration his profile in Mbaitoli politics, having chaired the council during Udenwa era, Chief Opara is an old war horse in Mbaike politics. Chief Opara was among those who attempted to grab the ticket in 2011 but was shoved aside by Bethel Amadi. With Amadi likely not to launch another intention and the pendulum swinging to Mbaitoli where Opara is among the top favourites, the former LGA Chairman is among those scheming to become “Mbaike Man in Abuja”.
Another Osita from Mbaitoli is also reported to be warming up for the Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency seat come 2015. Though with similar surname with Osita Opara, the Osita in focus answers Oparaugo. Though they are from the same Mbieri but Osita Oparaugo is from Umudagu, the Community which was recently hit by the “Ukwu Uko” tragedy. Fondly called April 10, which is the brand name of his ventures, located both at Umudagu and PortHarcourt, Oparaugo is also a familiar name in politics of the area having vied for elective post for the Mbaitoli State Assembly seat some years ago under ANPP platform. The supposed opening for Mbaitoli politicians for the House of Reps position has brightened the chances of the likes of Oparaugo who is re-engineering his political organizations for the task ahead.
In the race for the would-be Mbaike Representative in 2015 is also Barr Kingsley Ononuju, a renowned name and formidable politician from Mbaitoli extraction. Ononuju also eyed the seat two years ago before Amadi snatched it again from the pack. A seasoned politician and one of the able lieutenants of Chief Ikedi Ohakim during his four-year tenure, Ononuju was NEPAD coordinator in the last dispensation. Ononuju is also reported to be interested in succeeding Amadi. Though he is yet to make his desire public, but his body language is enough to send messages across that he would be another top challenger to the position. Ononuju would be relying on the strong foundations of the Owerri Zonal Political Forum (OZOPOLF) where he acts as Secretary and the emerging influence of the group’s National Leader, Chief Charles Amadi (Charlvon), who is also from Ikeduru, part of the Federal Constituency.
There are other aspirants who have been holding their ambitions close to their chests for tactical reasons. While this analysis will not mark the end of Mbaike federal seat discussion, it is important to highlight the aspiration of the last but not the least among the pack; Barr Anselem Okorie. Said to be an ally of the incumbent, Amadi and enjoying his support for the Abuja race, Okorie is another old hand having served as a political appointee of the state government incharge of MDG, and presently MDG Consultant to National Assembly, Abuja. A job said to have been facilitated due to his rosy relationship with Rt Hon Amadi. Armed with bountiful academic qualifications that range from law to environmental studies, Okorie is said to be turbo-charged for the Mbaike Federal Constituency battle. Similar to the aforementioned enthusiasts who are from Mbaitoli sector, the former SSA to Gov Ohakim on MDGs is working towards making his dreams come true. As events continue to unfold and 2015 draws nearer, people of Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency are keeping their fingers crossed for the real contenders and those eager to play “notice me politics” in their usual “flash in the pan” political display.
