Owerri senate seat is presently occupied by Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi. But his return to the Red Chambers in 2023 may be shaky, considering the number of political heavyweights in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and All Progressive Congress, APC, who are eying the senatorial seat.
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi who had represented Owerri Federal Constituency for eight years, may have to work harder to keep his second term senatorial bid alive. This is predicated on the fact the race for the senate seat may get fierce in 2023.
Senator Onyewuchi came on the firing range of Forum of Imo Based Newspapers Editors, FINE, recently. The Forum, an association of editors in Imo State, accused the senator of lopsided representation.
Already, within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ezenwa’s political party, there are feelers that Senator Samuel Anyanwu may drop his governorship ambition to run for Owerri zone senate seat for the second time. Though this has not been confirmed, INNONEWS gathered that the senator is under pressure to return to a familiar terrain.
Anyanwu had represented the zone from 2015- 2019. And many praised his representation. Political analysts contend that he would have had a smooth return to the senate for the second time in 2019, if he had not opted to run for Imo governorship.
Anyanwu is yet to speak on his next political move, but there is no doubt that he commands massive followership in the zone. Aside Anyanwu, there are strong speculations that former Secretary to Imo State government, Hon Uche Onyeagocha, may also join the race.
Onyeagocha, a former member of the House of Representatives, respected for his no holds barred outburst, had vied for the position in 2015, as candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC. He had lost to Senator Anyanwu.
Within the APC, it is unclear if former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere will run for the senate seat. There has been no independent confirmation of this claim, but sources close to him say he is weighing the options.
Madumere was also vocal against Governor Rochas Okorocha and he has successfully realigned with Governor Hope Uzodimma who holds the ace in the APC.
Another contender for the race is astute banker, Mike Nwachukwu, who put up an impressive performance in the 2019 Owerri zone senatorial race on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA.
Nwachukwu, has returned to the All Progressive Congress, APC and has put in place a massive political structure set for the 2023 senatorial contest.Observers of the 2019 senatorial election in Owerri zone, attest to how Nwachukwu nearly braced the tape of victory until certain unforeseen circumstances reared its ugly head.
There are also speculations that billionaire businessman, Dr. Alex Mbata, may also have his sight on the senatorial seat. Mbata hails from Owerri North LGA. Also alleged to be interested in the contest is, Mr. Henry Njoku, popularly called Harritex. Njoku had vied for Owerri Reps seat in 2006 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He is now of the APC. A former Commissioner in the State, Nick Oparandundu, may also join the fray.
Mr. Cajethan Emeghara, a respected political leader in Owerri zone told this newspaper that the race for Owerri zone senate will be keenly vied for because some of the zone’s finest will join the contest.
“Owerri zone is not in short supply of men and women who will give the people effective representation in the senate in 2023. In 2023, our best will be on the ballot. Owerri zone has not had it so good in recent times” he said
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