Owerri Zone United has launched an attack on Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popularly known as Samdaddy, accusing him of political betrayal and warning against what it described as an attempt by his political allies to extend Rivers State’s influence into Imo State.
The group, in a statement, declared that “Imo State is not Rivers State” while defending its campaign for Owerri Zone to produce the next governor under Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Charter of Equity.
It also took a swipe at Anyanwu, telling him to “go back to your bleaching creams and leave us alone” in an escalating war of words ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Anyanwu had kicked against plans by the group to adopt the APC as sole political platform to produce an Imo governor of Owerri zone extraction in 2027.
The statement, signed by the publicity and media department of Owerri Zone United, accused Anyanwu of selfishness, political betrayal and contributing to Owerri Zone’s failure to produce a governor in previous election cycles.
The group also defended Prince Charls Amadi, popularly known as Charlvon, describing him as a longstanding champion of Owerri Zone’s governorship ambition.
It said Anyanwu was familiar with the political developments surrounding the 2015 election, when Owerri Zone failed to produce a governor, and accused him of attempting to rewrite history to suit his current political ambition.
It further alleged that Anyanwu’s actions contributed to the Peoples Democratic Party’s internal divisions before and during the 2019 elections.
“Did Samdaddy support his party’s candidates in those same elections? No!” the group asked, accusing him of undermining the PDP while now presenting himself as a defender of the party.
The group maintained that Anyanwu should explain his own political record rather than criticise others over their decisions during previous elections.
Italso questioned Anyanwu’s criticism of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing to the relationship between his political ally, Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led Federal Government.
It argued that Anyanwu could not attack the APC while benefiting politically from an alliance involving Wike and the same federal government.
“If APC is evil, as Samdaddy wants Imo people to believe, what does that make Wike, his political master, who is working with the same APC government?” the statement queried.
The group alleged that Wike’s political interests were behind Anyanwu’s governorship ambition, warning that Imo people would resist any attempt to compromise the state’s political independence.
“Imo State is not Rivers State, and Imo people will not surrender their destiny to Nyesom Wike or his political errand boys,” it declared.
Owerri Zone United also challenged Anyanwu to identify tangible projects he attracted to his constituents during his four years in the Senate.
“Can Samdaddy point to just one project he attracted to his people during his four years in the Senate? Just one!” the group asked.
It further questioned his record of empowerment and public service, contrasting him with Amadi, whom it described as a reputable businessman whose enterprises had touched lives within and beyond Imo State.
It challenged Anyanwu to assess his political acceptance in his hometown of Amaimo before attempting to lecture others about leadership.
Reaffirming its position on the 2027 governorship race, Owerri Zone United said it remained committed to ensuring that Governor Hope Uzodimma’s promise under the Charter of Equity was fulfilled.
The group described the arrangement as a commitment to fairness and justice in the distribution of political power in Imo State.
It also credited Amadi with championing the cause for years, including through the Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF).
Owerri Zone United vowed not to be distracted by political attacks, insisting that its campaign was focused on ensuring that Owerri Zone gets the opportunity to produce the next governor.
