BY INNONEWS
As the race for the 2023 Imo East Senatorial election draws near, the intensity of the contest, appears to have taken a new dimension, as the surging popularity of the All Progressives Congress, APC Imo East Senatorial candidate, Prince Alex Mbata, has re- shaped the colouration of the contest.
Mbata’s aspiration has also given the APC the sufficient green-light to win the Imo East Senate race, which has other contestants such as Hon Uche Onyeagocha (PDP), Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Labour Party), and several other candidates.
According to a survey conducted by a socio political organization, Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, voters in Owerri zone (Imo East) are focused on the character, competence and capacity of the candidates of various political parties seeking to represent the zone at the Senate, House of Representatives and the State Assembly.
A careful analysis of the build up to the Senate race in Imo East clearly shows that Prince Alex Mbata, popularly called PAM, has become not just a leading contender in the contest, but one who has earned the trust and confidence of majority of voters in the zone comprising men, women and youths, who posses Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs).
Close observers of the senatorial contest in the zone further argue that Mbata has raised the tempo of Imo East senatorial contest by shattering age long political sentiments and barriers, twin factors which has inhibited voters in the zone from electing their preferred choices to the Senate.
Coming from the business world, Mbata’s high level of philanthropy, mega empowerment programmes, massive construction and reconstruction of some roads in the zone, has considerably changed the mentality of voters in Owerri zone, who are well pleased with his actions, which they described as a reflection of his capacity to do more for the zone when he is elected to the Senate.
Before he joined the race to the senatorial contest, Mbata through his PAM Foundation, had invested over N1 billion naira in empowering over 20,000 vulnerable persons across the nine local governments in Owerri zone, earning him the tag of the highest investor in human development in Owerri zone.
On December 20, 2021, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, at the unveiling of Mbata’s N500m mega empowerment programme, held at Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri, gave thumps up to the business mogul for his relentless commitment to philanthropy.
“I m deeply touched by this act of philanthropy by Dr. Mbata by touching the poor and the vulnerable. I call on public office holders in the State who receive money from government coffers to emulate Dr. Mbata and support their people” a visibly elated Uzodimma told over 5,000 beneficiaries of the programme.
Mbata has earned applause from individuals, stakeholders and groups for his actions, which has awakened the consciousness in the people of the zone, to focus on voting for those who care more for the good and betterment of the people.
“Gone are the days of big grammar. We need those who have the interest of the people at heart. Seeing is believing. And we believe in the abilities and qualities of Prince Alex Mbata because he has the interest of the people of Owerri zone at heart” said Emmanuel Onuoha, a youth leader in Iho Dimezie in Ikeduru LGA.
Recently, Eze David Osuagwu Akujor, Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers (Owerri zone), propelled by Mbata’s gigantic empowerment programmes in Owerri zone, announced the resolve of all the traditional rulers in the zone to support the senatorial bid of the Obube Ngwoma business mogul.
Akujor said “The 2023 senatorial election in Owerri zone will be different, because we the traditional rulers in the zone, have taken a stand and decided on whom we want to represent us in the Senate. And there are many reasons why we took our position.
“We have witnessed so much disappointment from some of our representatives and we don’t want this to continue anymore. We have suffered enough because of this. Also, we don’t want our brothers who are contesting for the Senate in 2023, to start undoing themselves because of the senatorial contest.
“As a result of this, we, the traditional rulers in Owerri zone, which I am the Chairman, resolved unanimously that we settle for Prince Alex Mbata, as our choice for Senate.
“We call Alex Mbata, Ogburuhuruzor (pathfinder). This is because he has done so many things for the people of Owerri zone.And soon, all the traditional rulers in Owerri zone would converge and confer this prestigious chieftaincy title on him because he deserves it.
“Aside that, all the nine local governments in Owerrri zone- Oweri Municipal, Owerri West, Owerri North, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Ngor Okpala, have all benefited from Mbata’s philanthropic activities.
“He has massively empowered our people” Akujor stated.
The stance of the traditional rulers in Owerri zone, is a testimony of Mbata’s surging popularity which puts him in pole position ahead of other contestants to clinch victory in the race to the Senate for Owerri zone.
Anthony Oha, a renowned Professor, said Prince Alex Mbata name rings a bell, “because of his history of positive strides among the people”
“Let’s keep the acronym, PAM, PAM, PAM, because it reminds us of the hope we have and the development we desire. It makes our minds prepared for a better and greater Owerri zone” he wrote in an article titled PAM, PAM, PAM: The Chiming Sound Of Leadership Change In Owerri Zone.
Also, some notable stakeholders in the zone corroborate the stance of the monarchs, stating that Mbata, stands above other contestants in the race to the Senate.
A group of former Councillors in Owerri Zone, had on April 5, 2022, backed Mbata’s senatorial bid, identifying him as the key choice for Owerri zone Senate.
In a statement signed by over 200 ex Councillors across party lines in the zone, they appreciated Mbata’s “life changing programmes in Owerri zone”
“The former elected Councillors, being the grassroots “Generals” of this democracy, are quite aware of the pains of our people…”
“We thank you (Mbata) for your kind gesture to humanity, your consistent empowerment of the Imo people, and your recent successful empowerment to our people” part of the statement read.
Mbata’s support base in Owerri zone has continued to expand in leaps and bounds, sending clear indications that he remains the man to beat in the senatorial contest.
Bernard Uba, President, Ala Owerre United Front, AUOF, a socio political organization, described Mbata “as fit, capable and qualified to represent Owerri zone in the red chambers of the Senate in 2023
“Prince Mbata has already shown evidence of what he is capable of. As a private citizen, what he has done has surpassed what some of those in public office are doing
“He has built roads with his personal resources, such as the 2km road with Streetlights in Owerri Municipal and Owerri North.
“We, at AUOF call him Mr.Evidence. He is an epitome of humility, who can give us a strong voice at the Senate.He has shown evidence of what he will do for the people, if we elect him to the Red Chambers of the Senate.
“Having achieved success in business, he will equally perform in the legislature and give us quality representation in the Senate” Uba concluded.
