The die is cast for the much awaited Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries for who carries the party’s banner in next year’s Imo House of Assembly elections.
After the brouhaha trailing the conduct of the Nov 1, 2014 ward congresses to elect the mandatory 3-man ad-hoc delegates per ward in the 27 LGA of the state, the action is shifting to the battle field for primaries. In the first series, the State House of Assembly will kick start the expected battle royale in the 27 LGAs of Imo. After much political permutations and calculations, it is time to prove book-makers right or wrong with the much awaited results of the primaries. From Aboh to Obowo reaching Oguta and Okigwe LGAs, it will definitely be an explosive game for all the aspirants.
In Aboh, the incumbent Minority Leader, Ngozi Pat Ekeji, will attempt to enter her name in record books as she tries a second missionary journey no other representative from Aboh Mbaise has achieved since Nigeria’s nascent democracy debuted. The attempt of the wife of Pat Ekeji, a retired Director of Sports in Nigeria, from Nguru, to get another chance will suffer challenges from Ugochukwu Amuchie and Obioma Emenike of Oke Uvuru and Enyiato blocs respectively. Though Olaedo as Mrs Ekeji is fondly called is favoured because of her financial muscle, experience and sundry advantages, Amuchie and Emenike will prove their mettle when the delegates make their choices.
Owerri West is applying zoning formula where all the PDP aspirants are from Umunwoha block comprising Ohii, Irete, Orogwe, Ndegwu and Amakohia Ubi towns. From Irete is a younger brother of returnee political warlord CY Amako known as Ossy C.Y Amako, a musician of Freewind fame. Also former coordinator of one of LGAs, C.J Ihemedu is also in the race Ihemedu is from Orogwe. Others are Noble Adiaso, (Irete), Okey Ozuzu (Ohii) and Tony Akalokwu (Orogwe). It was learnt that while Cy Amako is of the view that the House of Assembly ticket should be used to compensate him for years put in PDP and making a recent volte face to rejoin APC recently, others are of the opinion that Orogwe has had enough of political patronage against other communities in Umunwoha clan when Ikenna Elezianya, one time House of Assembly and House of Reps Aspirant is form Orogwe, same as CJ Ihemedu who merited LGA coordinatorship position. Therefore, aspirants from Irete and Ohii are favoured.
Chijioke Ude, a Pastor and Nkemakomalam will be at each others throat for the party’s ticket for Owerri North LGA. Ironically, both are from the same Owerri North political block of Naze, Awaka, Egbu and Ihitta Ogada. Some factors will come into play which may find Naze aspirants having upper hand since Egbu has produced a House of Assembly member in the person of Nnaemeka Maduagwu, a lawyer and former Speaker.
Ohaji/Egbema is another trouble spot where the contest may likely witness a photo-finish. Without a zoning approach, aspirants from all the divide showed up for the ticket. From Egbema area is Stanley Peters, a former LGA Transition committee chairman and ISOPADEC Board member, Awarra Court area has Henry Adimelechi of (Assah/ Obile Ward) Nina Felicia Nwulu (Awarra/ Ikwerede Ward) and Emeka Benjamin (Asah/Obile). Also in the Ohaji divide is Golden Nwokoma, and Emma Orieh (Ekwuato Ward) Damian Opara (Obitti/Mgbuisi ward), a lawyer Kelvin Ugwu (Ohuba ward), and Temple Okonji (Assa/Obile). All the aspirants are reported to be doing the needful to survive the war front. It will be futile making any attempt on predictions as one may be found guilty of faulty permutations. The 39 Delegates of Ohaji/Egbema will surely decide who carries the day.
Similar to Ohaji/Egbema, neighbouring Oguta LGA will also observe a colourful race where zoning arrangement will not play a role since the aspirants are from three political wards of the council. Leading the pack is Modestus Nwankpa from Awa ward, Oru ward said to be marginalized in Oguta political system has the greatest member of aspirants. Attempting a second missionary journey to the chamber of the state legislature is Ethelbert Nnanna who represented Oguta 2003-2007 and alongside his kinsman, Williams Ejiakor of Uwaorie ward. Notably, delegates from Oguta ward A and B, the two Izombe wards and Akabor/Ejemekwuru ward will play vital roles in deciding who among the contestants will pick the party’s ticket ably contested by Lawrence Agbasoga, Mgburuako et al.
The armada of aspirants seeking PDP ticket in Mbaitoli LGA will set the Nwaoriebu venue on fire on Saturday. In the race are Ifeanyi Oguwuike (Alaenyi Ogwa ward 2, Chibuzo Agbalaibe (Idem Ogwa Ward1) Austin Opara, (Ubomiri ward). Mbieri, one of the formidable political blocs is not left out as Okey Onyemelem (Ezinihitte Mberi) Udochukwu Odebube (Obazu Mbieri) and Hamilton Opara (Achi) are in the race. The Mbaitoli political formula will come into reckoning. While the Ogbuezenkwu political bloc comprising Ifakala, Umunoha, and Eziama, Obiato will be ruled out, the battle will be between Ogwa/Orodo bloc and Mbieri/Ubomiri bloc.
The Owerri Municipal struggle for the party’s ticket will be a straight battle between two frontliners; Macdonald Kelechi Ebere and Abumaleya Nkwodimma. Interestingly both are from Aladimma Ward 1 made up of Amawom and Umuororonjo, Owerri Nchi Ise villages. Amawom is said to be entitled to produce the next House of Assembly member. Again, the duo of Willy Amadi and Ernest Ibejiakor who seem to have struck an accord as apex leaders of the Municipal council will determine who will carry the party’s flag. Abumaleya is popular and good-to-go while Ebere, a knight of St John International, KSJI and former Transition Committee Chairman is favoured to clinch the title based on acceptability.
Ahiazu LGA Assembly primaries for PDP will appear dramatic because of the undercurrents likely going to influence voting on Saturday. A particular ward, Ogbor/ Umueze where favourites Ken Agbim and Kelvin Agbaegbu hail from is seriously laying claim to the position against others in the Ekwereazu clan. Both Agbim and Agbaegbu will be up against the Mpam ward trio of Marcel Okoro, Maximus Onuoha and Kelechi Anyanwu, while Anselem Obasi, a political neophyte from Okirika Nweke may spring surprises at the end of the exercise.
In Okigwe state constituency, the quest is to chose among the three aspirants who will be able to withstand the likely candidate of APC and incumbent member representing the area in House of Assembly, Acho Ihim. In this regard, an old political war horse, Charles Babatunde Ezekwem from Okigwe Urban ward B is warning up against Ihube-born Okey Udu and Law Odoemene of Umuawaibu ward. Based on pedigree and political outreach, Ezekwem, a council chairman will appear as a hot cake to clinch the ticket.
If Okigwe has few aspirants, it is a different story in Ikeduru LGA where not less than eight persons are marshalling out their arsenals for a titanic battle. Undoubtebly, it will be a clash of interest for the political forces in the area where Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a renowned politician and PDP Chieftain and Charles Amadi, aka Charlvon of OZOPOLF will test might again. In the list for the showdown are Dr Gabriel Onyekuru, Dennis Okwu (Sweet Apple), Jude Opara, Bon Unachukwu, Sam Okoro, Steve Nwaiwu, Anyachie Okenema and LGA Chairman, Sam Aka. While Charlvon has only Okeneme, in his group there is trouble in Iwuanyanwu camp with more aspirants jostling for the position. How the delegates loyal to Iwuanyanwu will manage their votes to select from the seven remaining aspirants will determine the eventual winner.
In the same vein, Ngor Okpala shares similarities with Ikeduru with about nine aspirants. From Kingsley Odionyenwa, Chijioke Churube, Leo Okere , all from Imerienwe ward to Prince Okereke (Okpala) ward, Charles Abara (Obike ward) Obinna Egu (Umuohagw) Collins Enwere (Nneorie) and Bona Nwoke (Ihitte Ngor), the delegates from the LGA can be said to be in a fix on how and who to chose for the Assembly ticket. Apart from experience, acceptably and power to get the votes of the masses will be a determinant factor on who emerges victorious.
In Orlu LGA, clash of interest will also unfold during the primaries as loyalists of the former governor, Achike Udenwa and Senator Hope Uzodimma will continue their supremacy battle. The House of Assembly ticket race among Greg Nwadike, Nnamdi Ihezuo and Don Ohakwe will be interesting spectre to behold as they are joined by one woman, Mrs Nwaizu who came back form abroad recently.
Also parading a reasonable number of aspirants is Ezinihitte LGA where nine persons are warming up for the Saturday show to replace Obioma Ekennia. Onicha Wards have Nwosu Anyadike and Isaac Kachiere alongside Ude na Obizi Ward with Marshall Onwumere and Onyegbaduo. In the zoning understanding which seems to have faded in the political structure of the area, Okpofe/Eziagbogu and Itu wards where Sunny Okorie, and Mark Adindu respectively are highly favoured to clinch it since Ezi Centre among the three blocks has not produced a state legislator in the past. Both Obioma Ekennia and Oliver Enwerelem who got a two-time mandate to represent Ezinihitte in the House are from Ezi West and Ezi East blocs respectively. The only female aspirant, Mrs Chilaka, known as Adadioranma from Oboama/ Umunama may spring surprises using her gender status. Also in the race is the son of Justice Ukaoha of Eziudo Bruno Ukaoha and Rev Nwosu of Chokoneze/ Akpodim ward.
The Ebenese and Ebemanu factor is expected to play a major role in who grabs PDP ticket to run fro the House of Assembly in Ideato South LGA. That gives reasons for the greater number of persons; Victor Madumere, Benjamin Osigwe, Nnenna Aladum from the Ebenese while only a woman, Nkechi Ugwu is from Ebemanu clan. If somebody from Ebemanu is allowed, it will be 12 uninterrupted years the clan will have it. The delegates from the 13 wards will “shine their eyes” to select an electoral material that can withstand pressure in the local government of APC leader and governor of Imo state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
Ideato North has interesting characters in Odera Onwudiwe and Ndubuisi Ebliekwe from Akoka ward. Others Ernest Njesi and Okey Ibeneme from Obodukwu and Urualla respectively. It is said that Njesi is said to be on truck. The former councilor is tipped because of loyalty and his line up in Ideato North PDP.
Also, the two divides of Isu LGA will play a prominent role where Ethelbert Ukaonu of Isu Njaba Ward 1 and Dorathy Egbule will gain advantage against Chinweuba Nnaji (Amuri ward 1), Emeka Ozurumba, (Amuri ward1) Nnamdi Nsorom (Amurie ward2) and one Modestus form the same Amuri. Since the outgoing Ikenna Emeh form Amandugba will serve out his two tenures, Ekwe/Isu Njaba of Ukaonu has the chance. Amurie is part of Umundugba Bloc. Ukaonu has paid his dues and is in top form to carry the day.
Greg Okemili who joined PDP recently is in for a battle of his life again as he joins Benneth Amukamara, Kizito Nwokeji and Hyginus Lemachi to do the battle in Oru East. Despite being a newcomer in PDP scene, Okemili said to be turbo-charged to spring surprises in the primaries. He is said to be close to the determinant factor in Oru East politics, Senator Hope Uzodimma and has done enough to justify his stay in the Assembly. One lady, Dymma Mbaiamozie, said to be well connected with enviable contacts appears to be the lady to beat in the expected primaries.
Another reliable of Senator Uzodimma, Emeka Agbor may also emerge victorious except stiffer challenges from a the grassroots man and philanthropist, Joe Ikunna as well as Collect Odenigbo, and KC Igbosaoiyi. The Oru West primaries is expected to an interesting debacle.
A member of the Imo State House of Assembly likely to book a second chance ticket is member representing Njaba Chino Obioha. Following the return of his supposed political goodfather otherwise known as Ishimmiri, Obioha is back to wrestle the ticket with Hope Ekezie (Okwudor) Nobert Agbasi (Atta ward) and Damian Eke (Umuaka). The interest of Sen Uzodimma and Oshimmiri will clash in Ekezie and Obioha respectively.
In Orsu, it is among Esther Ngozi Opara (Ihetenansa) Ben Odimegwu (Ihetenansa), Timothy Obodozie of (Awo Idemili) Herbert Eziawa and Chinedu Ezenwa (Amaruru). But odd favours Obodozie who comes from a family of philanthropists. Obodozie from Awo Idemili is already gaining advantage because of the family name that has turned to be a household name in Orsu LGA.
Obowo will be another test ground for zoning as the Obowo West and Obowo East sharing formula will come into play.
Among the aspirants jostling for the ticket, perennial contestant, John Kekeocha is the odd person among V.C Okonkwo, Ben Okoronkwo and Jasper Chukwuemeka. Chukwuemeka is likely going to carry the day as he is not core Obowo West or East in the zoning arrangement that will determine pattern of voting. A lady, love Ineh is also a strong contender. But Chukwuemeka has an edge above other.
Isiala Mbano is another power-packed LGA where aspirants will slug it out. Because of the presence of two gladiators in Ikedi Ohakim and Ifeanyi Araraume and considering what transpired on the Nov 1, 2014 Congress day to elect ad-hoc delegates, the LGA will be on fire on Sat Nov 29, for Mathew Ukeachu, Joseph Obi, Joy Mbawuike, Bethram Uwandu, Uche Echeredo, Paul Salve Ibechem, Mike Ejiogu, Daniel Anoruo and Ralph Mbah. Ukeachu, a seasoned politician and Lady Mbakwuike are creating waves to get delegates’ votes.
In Ihitte Uboma, two prominent leaders will showcase their might in the area. Incidentally, Uboma clan will produce the next House of Assembly hence four persons from Awuchinimo ward, Ezekiel Okafor, Chris Nze Duru, Chike Olemgbe and Obioma while Okatta ward has Achi Chris Achi. However, Harold Wilson of Dinma Eze considering his pedigree as a grassroots mobilize and has advantage. His towering profile as a medical personnel and party official counts him above other challengers.
