There are strong indications that the race for Owerri zone Senate seat is gradually taking shape, 18 months to the National Assembly Election in the country.
Owerri zone, known as Imo East Senatorial zone, is one of the three geo political zones in Imo State, expected to elect a new Senator in 2023.
It has been observed that no fewer than eight prominent sons of the zone are warming up for the Senatorial contest, both within the two major political parties in the State, the All Progressive Congress, APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The present senator, Eze Onyewuchi, is of the PDP and is eying a second term.
Within the PDP, another chieftain of the party said to be interested in the race, is former federal lawmaker, Hon.Uche Onyeagocha.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who had vied for Imo governorship in 2019 and lost at the primary stage, may be warming up to return to the Senate, after a first stint in the Red Chambers in 2015.
Within the APC, those suspected to be interested in the contest are legion and may even increase as 2023 draws close..
Unconfirmed reports said those interested in the race are, Chief Henry Njoku (Harritex) and Chief Mike Nwachukwu, who had his first baptism of fire in the contest, when he vied for the Senate seat in 2019 on the platform of APGA.
It is unclear if billionaire businessman, Alex Mbata, will plunge into the contest.
Mbata had raised eyebrows of joining the contest, when he said he will deliver Owerri zone to the APC in 2023.
Former Speaker, Imo State House of Assemby, Hon.Kelechi Nwagwu, is another suspected contender for the plum seat.
Chief Charles Amadi, popularly known as Chavon, has been touted to be interested, but such claims were debunked by some of his close associates, who argue that there is no way he would be eying Owerri zone Senate race, when his son is interested in Mbaike House of Reps contest.
Also, uncomfirmed reports say Mr. Ugochukwu Sylvester, Ugo Sly, who recently dumped the PDP for the APC, may also join the fray.