Anambra Central: Between the Senators - Uche Ekwunife and Victor Umeh, By Tobenna Obiano

Politics is sometimes a very funny outing. At least, doing full participation, it has a way of humbling even the ostentatious and the proud. If you fail to play by its rules, it ridicules, shames and schemes you out of favour and things.
Whilst the Nigerian General election would happen in the next two months, or a little above that. It’s become now a ritual to have very humble politicians everywhere, or atleast, those who claim to be one. I’ve personally seen politicians on their own volition throwing their doors, homes and everything open for everyone.

Nigerian politicians are a very funny set of individuals. Whilst they gun for votes and supports, they’re humble and give-up themselves as approachable, but once elected or by stroke of chance, they rig themselves into power, they change their phone lines, change their gate keys, change vehicles and beef-up their security. Nigerians must therefore be wise, at this time before choosing or voting.

I’ve written several articles for the choice of candidates outside my own zone. I’ve continued to join my voice in advocating for true and worthy representation. I’ve consistently continued to request of our people to choose true leaders, and never again allow misleaders to find their ways into political offices. I would continue with this mission, atleast until something gets better.
In all those writing, articles and speeches that I’ve delivered at different forums or foras, events and conferences, I’ve repeatedly avoided discussing the Senate in my district. I’ve intentionally avoided writing or speaking on Anambra Central Senatorial district and their choice of Senator or who becomes a great choice. I’ve my reason.

In my writing, I’ve been asked by some funny persons, to rechannel my energy off other Senatorial zones, but to my own Senatorial zone, and write more about my Senatorial district, and the choice of who represents me at the Senate. They feel that I write, more concerned about other zones than mine.

I’ve had some of my avid readers who are from my constituency also, request of me, that I write on who becomes a better choice of candidate for the Senate in Anambra Central - would it be Iyom or Ohamadike? Some of my readers feel that I can share a honest opinion, and give them advise as to who to choose.
Anambra Central is one very lucky Senatorial district in Nigeria. It’s therefore safe to start-of by stating quite clearly, that the zone has had very powerful or atleast, serious-minded individuals serve and represent them. Or at best, the last two Senators - the incumbent Sen. Victor Umeh, and his predecessor, Sen. Uche Ekwunife has remained true legislators. In heir various capacities and service, they haven’t underperformed. I say this, because I know so.

Uche Ekwunife:
Iyom, as she’s fondly called made a grand entry into politics, and has remained on top, reaching the heights and have consistently even dared to soar higher. As a member of the Federal House of Representatives, she was able to aggressively bring back home massive development.

In her community of Nri, her trademark on road construction is next to none. She went ahead to extending same good works to her constituencies. The primary focus of Iyom was developments centered on infrastructure. And she was good at it.

Iyom won the heart of many, particularly women that at some point, and perhaps on two separate occasions, she had angled to becoming Governor. She had contested on two different platforms through Progressive People’s Alliance, APP, where she served as their flagbearer, then with APGA where she lost at the primaries.
Iyom is a dogged fighter, who knows her onion. She knows what she wants, and perhaps also knows how best to go after same and get it. She’s used to falling and rising, and this singular smart move had helped her immensely in continually pushing for the heights.

In what could best be defined as an incredible comeback, she won the Senate seat to serve us. Within her short lived time in the Senate, she rose to becoming the first woman from the Southeast extraction that became the Chairman on Petroleum and Downstream sector. She worked closely with her colleagues and was able to do wonders, before the court sent her home.

Another election was slated to hold, but because the PDP was at that time, in disarray, her closest contender, Victor Umeh won a landslide victory, and was immediately sworn into office to take up, after a long legal battle that left our Senatorial zone without a Senator and a voice at that Senate.

Victor Umeh:
Ohamadike as he’s fondly known by, and called by virtually all is another sound mind. Chief. Umeh has began well, rose to becoming the National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, a platform where he held firmly and build a political party, which is more often than not, referred to as the Igbo political party, with plans to serve a unique purpose for ndi-Igbo.

Sir. Umeh is the longest served National Chariman of any known political party in Nigeria. He held sway while Mr. Peter Obi was Governor. He was instrumental to his re-election. He was National Chariman and led APGA to victory both in Imo State and Abia State with Rochas Okorocha and Theodore Orji respectively.

Under his watch, APGA became the beautiful bride of the Igbo nation. However, after he left office, not same positive remarks could be made of a party he worked tirelessly with many to birth, nurture, sustain and grow.

Ohamadike left as APGA Chairman with shoulders high. He left APGA in a seemingly safe status. Ohamadike even led APGA to victory, with an APGA Governor returning to succeed another, of APGA extraction. It’s still afresh in our memories that Sen. Victor Umeh championed what has today been known as the 21/21 victory, whilst he served as the Director General of the re-election bid of the Governor. It’s therefore safe to concur that he did well as National Chairman and as an APGA Ambassador.
Some of the fans and lovers of Mr. Umeh, in perfect follow-up his name prefer to refer to him as the victorious Victor; and indeed, that’s who he became. He had contested his first major election, to serve our people at the Red Carpet Chambers. The election was a very tough outing. However, a candidate from the then ruling party emerged as winner and was sworn in.

Ohamadike was in court, insisting that the election results that gave victory to the other candidate was marred by irregularities. He insisted that he rightly won the election. It took quite a long marathon-like round of legal battles drawing back and forth before the court eventually gave verdict, sacking the then serving Senator, and having the constituency without a Senator.

Legal process, frameworks and fireworks can take ages to settle. The court finally ordered for a fresh election in the constituency, barely one year to the expiration of the tenure. However, due to the uncoordinated style of the PDP, they were left out without a candidate to fly their flag. It became a delightful cruise to victory for Sen. Victor Umeh. It’s resounding that he rose as National Chariman to becoming the first person from his political party to become a serving Senator.

As Senator, Ohamadike focused on human development. He identified the importance of education, and he has centered his time on education and youth development. He has continued to pay tuition fees for hundreds of indigents, whilst also supporting the widows and widowers. He has offered other basics to those within his reach.

Summaringly, it’s no slaves choice if one were to choose for a choice of candidate for Anambra Central. Infact, the both individuals have been powerful voices at the Senate. They’ve shown courage, carriage, charism and charisma. They’re both dogged fighters. They’ve the interest of this constituency at heart. They would do well, because they have been known for doing amazing things.

The reason why I don’t usually discuss for a choice of who becomes Senator in our Anambra Central is because, in honest opinion, we have more than enough able and capable hands that when given opportunity, would do amazing things. We have Iyom and we have Ohamadike. We can still borrow out many others to help other zones, particularly Anambra South that has suffered the most.

Thankfully, Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has risen to help save Anambra South from the firm grip of selfish, self-centered and very unserious partners of bad governance, more like a family cabal and cult. The rescue mission for Anambra South is centered on the Ubah of Nnewi, not Uba’s from Uga.

Iyom is good. Ohamadike is great as well. Both individuals have proven their mettle. However, even as it’s a tough one to decide, in the following weeks, we hope to think deeper and critically before arriving at a choice.

It’s a tough decision. Iyom is good, Ohamadike is good as well. Let’s spare who’s better, atleast for now. Let’s be thankful for the fact that we have the best with us.

Anambra Central has amazing individuals that would do well, anytime and anyday. We already given one of those best, Peter Obi to Nigeria.

Tobenna Obiano.
MD/CEO, EXPLORER MAGAZINE.