As February 25, 2023 National Assembly elections come up in few days, those who will become new Senators of the three Senatorial Zones are putting finishing touches to grab the votes of the electorates.
After the conduct of the primaries last year, campaigns commenced in September 2022 and are expected to stop a day before the elections.
Trumpeta political correspondents who have been monitoring proceedings notice that there are outstanding candidates of the party who are likely going to emerge victorious at the end of the contest.
OWERRI ZONE (IMO EAST)
It is going to be a dicey battle among the frontline contenders which consist of five candidates of different parties. Leading the pack of the office seekers is Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi. After losing PDP primaries, Onyewuchi migrated to Labour Party to pick the ticket.
Apart from having the cash to prosecute his second tenure as a serving Senator, the Orji, Owerri North born politician will be banking on the Labour Party bandwagon effect to succeed. The Peter Obi effect for President pronounced in the South East region which will make candidates of Labour Party benefit from his sympathy vote.
Another thing that will further sale Onyewuchi’s candidacy is the constituency projects he has done so far in some areas of the zone as part of his strength to excel.
However, the fact that he was unable to win PDP primaries despite his status as a serving Senator may also affect his chances. What made his party to reject him for another tenure may also force people of Owerri zone not to vote for him in the main election.
That he is from the same Owerri North LGA with two top contenders, Prince Alex Mbata and Mike Nwachukwu may also stop his progress to make a comeback to the Senate.
Another strongman for the Senate position is Uche Onyeagocha. The former Reps member for Owerri Fed constituency and Ex SSG during the brief period Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha was governor will be banking on the formidable structure of PDP in Owerri Zone with the Ngor Okpala/Mbaise bloc acting as strong base of PDP. Onyeagocha needs to act more in his Owerri Fed Constituency to carry the day.
Very outspoken and fearless, Onyeagocha who is a good fighter will surely give other contenders tough time.
Business mogul, Alex Mbata who is carrying the APC flag for the 2023 election will be banking on the power of the ruling party. Apart from running a smooth campaign with the attendant media razzmatazz, Mbata will also rely on the well established APC campaign structures scattered across the nine LGAs of the zone. Armed with megabucks to prosecute the election, Mbata, a welfarist and philanthropist will use his contacts in the nooks and crannies of the zone to try win the election. One strong point working for Mbata is the formidable structures of APC in the State propelled by Governor Hope Uzodinma who is not in the mood to lose any of the National Assembly Seats.
Counting against Mbata is the fact that he is a new comer to the scene who has not ran for public election in the past. He will surely pay the price.
Mike Nwachukwu and Anthony Chima of Accord and APGA respectively will strive to make up as the aforementioned big three have an edge over them in terms of popularity and spread of party structures.
ORLU ZONE (IMO WEST)
The contest is strictly between Senator Osita Izunaso of APC and Labour Party’s Charles Ahize. With the Supreme Court stopping PDP’s Jones Onyereri, the battle field is left for the two mentioned above.
Similar to what will accrue to Onyewuchi, Ahize stands to benefit from the Labour Party bandwagon because of Obi factor. Though, much has not been heard about him in the Orlu political hemisphere, but the fact he picked Labour Party ticket for Senate made him an instant hit. He is the man to watch out for in Orlu zone even as he is a novice in electoral contest compared to his main rival, Izunaso who has since 2003 ran for elective positions each election year. The fact that the governor is from his zone and won’t allow another party take over his zone will be an obstacle to Ahize.
Izunaso who is an experienced election seeker will explore avenues to down play Ahize’s influence in the zone. Buoyed by the support of Governor Uzodinma and all APC structures in Orlu zone, Izunaso has an upper hand to carry the day.
OKIGWE ZONE (IMO NORTH)
It will definitely be a tough battle for Chief Emma Okewulonu of PDP, APC’s Pat Ndubueze and whoever bears Labour Party flag. Because of the clamour of the people of Okigwe North people to occupy the seat after Senator Araraume tasted it last in 2007, sympathy votes may go to Ndubueze who is from Okigwe LGA.
However, Okewulonu of PDP who has become a house hold name in the Area stands a good chance this time after his first trial in 2019 ended in a controversial defeat. He has to work hard to overcome the APC strong structure, where most of the Elected Lawmakers from his Area are from his LGA Obowo.
