A fierce contest for the Owerri Zone senatorial ticket of the National Democratic Congress, NDC, has thrown the party into fresh internal calculations ahead of its primary election scheduled for Thursday, May 28, with indications that the battle has narrowed to two political heavyweights — former Secretary to the Imo State Government, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha, and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tony Nwulu.
Party insiders familiar with the build-up to the exercise told this newspaper that although the mode of the primary had yet to be officially communicated as of Wednesday evening, intense lobbying and alignments had already split influential blocs within the party, with both aspirants claiming momentum.
Multiple sources disclosed that some influential national leaders within the NDC are believed to be quietly backing Onyeagocha for the ticket, banking on his long political experience, elite connections and established role within opposition politics in the South-East.
However, Nwulu is said to be enjoying strong grassroots sympathy across Owerri zone, especially among younger party members and stakeholders from the Mbaise bloc, who argue that the bloc deserves a return to the Senate after years of political dominance by Owerri Federal Constituency.
Supporters of the former lawmaker insist that zoning considerations favour Mbaise bloc, noting that the outgoing senator, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, hails from Owerri Federal Constituency and would have spent eight years in office by the end of the current tenure.
They further argue that while Mbaise last produced a senator through Senator Chris Anyanwu, Owerri Federal Constituency had already produced two occupants of the seat, Senator Eze Ajoku and Senator Onyewuchi, making another emergence from the bloc politically difficult to justify.
Nwulu’s camp is also projecting him as a younger and more nationally appealing figure capable of mobilising youth support for Mr. Peter Obi should he eventually emerge as the presidential candidate of the NDC.
His supporters frequently cite his sponsorship of the “Not Too Young To Run” Bill during his time in the House of Representatives, a legislation which eventually became law under former President Muhammadu Buhari and drew international attention from institutions including the United Nations and the European Union.
Backers of Onyeagocha, however, dismiss claims that the race should be reduced to age or generational sentiments, insisting that the former SSG possesses deeper administrative experience and stronger political networks required to confront the ruling APC in Imo.
The former federal lawmaker had recently exited the African Democratic Congress after Mr. Peter Obi’s movement into the NDC.
Sources within the party also pointed to Onyeagocha’s close political relationship with former Bayelsa governor and NDC National Leader, Seriake Dickson, as part of the forces strengthening his standing ahead of Thursday’s decisive primary.
