The entry of Chief Mike Nwachukwu to the All Progressive Congress, APC from the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, recently, has indeed re-shaped the political equation in Owerri Zone.
In other words, the political colouration of the Zone is bound to change ahead of the 2023 polls, considering Nwachukwu’s towering political profile and huge dose of endorsement of his latest political move.
His entrance to the APC has added impetus and strength to the
re-awakening of the Party in the Zone and this has become a nightmare for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which seem to be living in the shadows in the Zone since Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was sacked as Governor of Imo State.
Analysts contend that Nwachukwu’s entrance into the APC marks a turning point for the Party because of his acceptance by men, women and youths in the Zone.
Those who closely monitored the 2019 Owerri Zone Senatorial election will attest that Nwachukwu, then senatorial candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, was coasting home to victory, before the entire electoral process was manipulated and circumvented to favour the incumbent senator.
A year after that charade, Nwachukwu has remained a recurring decimal in the political dynamics of Owerri Zone.
With less than three years to the next polls, Nwachukwu has already emerged the arrow head of the good people of Owerri, a rallying point for the people of the Zone, who are fuming over the inept representation of the Zone in the Senate. They “earnestly yearn” for a genuine and effective representation in 2023.
Like the proverbial golden fish which has no hiding place, Nwachukwu was called upon by his numerous supporters and members of his political structure which cuts across the one hundred and four (104) Electoral Wards in the nine (9) Local Government Areas of Owerri Zone to leave the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, after the party was reduced to rubble in the aftermath of the last election and pitch tent with All Progressive Congress, APC, the ruling party in Imo State, and prepare for the 2023 Senatorial contest for Owerri Senatorial Zone.
The clarion call on Nwachukwu was overwhelming, an indication that he remains a very credible alternative to the clueless representation of the Zone in the Senate.
On March 21, 2020, political heavyweights and stakeholders in Owerrri Zone and in the State as well as political foot soldiers of Nwachukwu stormed the Egbelu Obube country home of Mike Nwachukwu, Mpi Dike Egbelu Obube and insisted he leaves APGA and join the APC. The call was deafening as speaker after speaker at the event gave reasons why he should join the APC.
A political leader in the state and chieftain of the APC, Prince Lemmy Akakem set the ball rolling.
He said “Mike Nwachukwu is a man of fine character. A good man with integrity. He is the right man for Owerri Zone at the senate in 2023 and we will support him totally when he declares.
Akakem lamented that Owerri Zone is in dire need of a new order, a new beginning which Mike Nwachukwu represents.
Another notable politician in the state who co-ordinated Nwachukwu’s 2019 senatorial bid, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, explained that Owerri Zone would have had a strong voice at the Senate if Mike Nwachukwu was not robbed of victory in 2019.
He said Mike Nwachukwu decided to come over to the APC as a believer in the policies and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.
“Mike Nwachukwu contested for the senate in 2019 on the platform of APGA because our President, Buhari had told Imolites then, to vote for candidates of their choice across party lines”.
“Mike has decided to listen and accept the decision of his massive followers in Owerri zone to join APC” he said.
In his remarks, a chieftain of the APC in Imo State, Chris Ogonus Ugochukwu Okoro, commended Mike Nwachukwu for coming over to the APC which he described as a good move. He expressed optimism that he will emerge victorious in the next election based on the fact he has overwhelming support of the people of Owerri Zone.
Mr. Peter Orji, a former Commissioner of Works in Imo State, in his remarks, urged APC faithful in Owerri Zone to translate their support for Mike Nwachukwu for Senator Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State.
The caliber of those who witnessed the event is a reflection of the fact that indeed, Nwachukwu remains the emerging choice of the people of Owerri Zone for senate in 2023.
Name them: Prince Lemmy Akakem (Okpata Ozuoha), Lady Ann Dozie, Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, Chief Christogonus Ugochukwu Okoro (Agbara Ahuru Gbuo Okuko), Chief Sam Anukam (Agunwa Ngor-Okpala), Chief Sam Ejiogu (Akaraka), Lady Chinedu Akaluso, Chief Ken Uba Oshieze, Chief Tex Ukonu, Chief Ugochukwu (Etiokwe Eriokwe), Chief Ibezim Nwachukwu, Prince Obodo Ejiogu, Chief Emma Nkirisi, Lady Julie Egbo, Prince Jude Ekeh, Chief Lambert Iwueke, Sir Law Madu, Engr. Lams Ibe (APC Owerri North Chairman), The APC OAU Ward Chairman (Emma Kaliko Nnadi), Chief Innocent Iheme – Oshieze, Bede Oduoza (DG, Mike Nwachukwu Senatorial Campaign Organisation), Chief Victor Onyeulo, Barr. (Mrs.) Comfort Oti, Chief Peter Onu (Alankwo Ala), Chief Peter Orji (Big Doo), Chief Ezeala Jude Egwim, Ndaa Doctor Orisakwe (Orji), Nnanyi Ukwu Aboshi, and a host of other politicians from Owerri Zone. Also in attendance were Members of The Mike Nwachukwu Senatorial Campaign Advisory Council
Indeed, the deluge of accolades which trailed Nwachukwu’s move to the APC, demonstrates a burning desire and passion by key stakeholders in Owerri Zone who really desire a change in who represents them in 2023.
Indeed, Owerri zone have spoken already