By Everest Ezihe
As political activities gather momentum, ahead of 2027 general elections , one thing that has become worrisome among political pundits, commentators and analysts is who among the plethora of aspirants jostling to represent the good people of Owerri senatorial zone, constitutionally known as Imo East in the National Assemblies of the Senate Chamber, if given the mandate, has the patriotic goodwill of offering the people effective and qualitative representations.
This issue has become germaine, due to strategic importance of the Senatorial zone in Imo State, South East geopolitical zone and Nigeria at large.
In the best interest of knowledge and understanding, Owerri senatorial zone is constituted by 9 out of the 27 local government area of Imo State. The council areas are Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise, Ngor Okpuala, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West.
According to political rumour mills, confirmed by their body languages and infact some of them ongoing consultation moves, the key people presently identified for eyeing the Senatorial sit in the forthcoming political dispensation are Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, High Chief Osita Opara, Engr. Obinna Ibe, Prince Alex Mbata and Chief Henry Njoku ( Harritex).
Certainly before the political party’s primaries, which comes up few months from now, the number of aspirants are most likely to increase and the stake will equally be high. Who among the aspirants will wither the storm ? That’s were the cookie will crumble. It’s pertinent to inform that few days to the primaries will give the political watchers and pundits to identify the real contenders and pretenders.
Therefore, it’s prime to have critical analysis of the frontline aspirants so far, so as to know their chances using political SWOT (Strengthen, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) analysis.
Senator Onyewuchi Ezenwa:
Is the incumbent Senator representing the Senatorial zone. A ranking Senator of second tenure and equally two tenured member of House of Representatives, as he represented Owerri Federal constituency.
A highly respected politician that hails from Orji in Owerri North LGA. He’s one politician associated with divine political grace. He has built a lot of financial war chest to handle his ambition.
Presently, it’s assumed he is eyeing to be the next governor of the State but many political analyst sees this his move as a scheming decoy to easily retain his third term senatorial ambition. This will certainly boomerang. Many politicians have determined to fight him, because they see him as Mr. Stingy, use and dump politician.
Moreso, a lot of political heavy weights, godfathers with pedigree and antecedents from his council area are coming out for the same position. The battles will be fierce and too hot for him. Many political stakeholders from the Senatorial zone are aggrieved with him despite his immense attraction of infrastructural and developmental projects.
High Chief Osita Opara:
Is a reputable stock broker, an astute grassroot politician having been an Executive Chairman of Mbaitoli LGA. He doggedly used the position to put his name in the council area road map as a man of developmental and infrastructural instincts. In Imo State politics, he has paid his dues and understands the nitty gritty of the game. Politically, he is a hard man with Spartans spirit, but his humility and spirit of integration is a plus.
The odds against him is that some people feels injured by the antecedents of his previous political activities and they have strategically laid an ambush for pay back. Secondly, within the Senatorial Zone political circles, it’s often doubtful if he has the financial bullion van to prosecute the project.
Engr. Dr. Obinna Ibe:
Is celebral and youthful. A seasoned grassroots leader, political strategist, and an academic from Amaukwu Orodo, Mbaitoli LGA.
He’s not an underdog in the Senatorial, State and the nation’s political activities. His versatility is intimidating just as his passion for positively changing the narratives. He’s dogged, determined and at home with the people.
His oratory boldness and political sagacity will always give him an edge. A man of implicit historical, traditional and cultural philosophical wisdom. In all honesty, this man understands Nigeria and its political antecedents.
His fundamental political philosophy as far as Owerri senatorial sit issue is concerned, is who can perform: Defend Meritocracy over mediocrity ? His popularity is infectious, moreso women and youths are at home with him.
Certainly, he is a long-standing figure in Imo politics, he contested for the Mbaitoli State Constituency in 2003 and worked closely with Senator Amah Iwuagwu, building strong ties across communities within and beyond the Senatorial zone.
He played a leading role in one of the most effective and robust campaigns in Owerri Zone under Senator Chris Anyanwu and later headed the ‘Yes She Can’ Campaign Organisation, earning a reputation for people-focused leadership and mass mobilization.
Dr. Ibe also served at the national level during the 7th National Assembly as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy. A lecturer, professional engineer and holds a PhD in Energy Economics, Management, and Policy. He combines knowledge with real-life political experience.
The odds against him, is that people are not certain of his financial capacity and capability. Secondly, people sees his gentility as weakness and are equally doubtful of his national and global contacts.
Certainly, Dr. Obinna Ibe is the man to watch in the next political dispensation as far as Owerri senatorial zone seat is concerned, undermining him, obviously is to your peril.
Prince Alex Mbata:
He hails from Ngwoma Obube in Owerri North LGA. He is a sagacious politician with contacts. A real grassroots mobilizer with intimidating political structure. This multi billionaire business icon has invested so much in Nigeria politics, especially in Imo State. In 2023 he was a frontline aspirant to Owerri Zone senatorial seat under the political platform of All Progressives Congress, APC.
He narrowly lost out during the primaries due to high profile political gimmicks. No doubt, he has the money and contacts to pursue his ambition anytime any day. One thing going for him is that he is a philanthropist par excellence, but very shrewd in business.
However, the major odd against him, is that many people are envious of his rising political profile and they’re determined to pull him down.
His media friendly disposition is seriously in doubt and most people who worked for him in his previous political outings are seriously holding it against him as Mr. Use and Dump.
Beyond not being media friendly, some people perceive him as very stingy, arrogant and a class conscious person.
The truth is that, it may be easier for the cow to pass through the eyes of the needle than Mbata becoming the Senator for Owerri Zone in 2027.
On the whole, politics is a game of surprise, you can never conclusively say never.
High Chief Henry Njoku:
He is popularly known as Harritex and hails from Umuovum in Ulakwo community, of Owerri North Local Government Area. A Port Harcourt based business icon that understands the dictates of politics.
His age long political activities cut across Imo State. Despite his wealth and contacts, he is a man of implicit humility with sound but verifiable academic background. This man sits on the board of many companies and establishment. He is a guru when it comes to clearing and forwarding.
Probably, due to his philanthropy, he is highly respected in his community and beyond. His financial credibility is never in doubt, just as his political doggedness.
Despite being a good man, he lacks the sagacity and audacity of boldness in public speaking, this quality is optimal for whoever wants to be a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is one of the most unfortunate politician in Nigeria history of politics, thus despite his popularity, he has not gone beyond participation in political party’s primary.
This critical political analysis is a continuous process, so that when the jungle mature, we will be able to decipher the contenders from the pretenders.
Take it to the bank, one of the political upsurge in 2027 as far as Owerri senatorial zone Senate seat is concerned, will be Dr. Obinna Ibe, the odds for now favours him.
His grassroot support from political actors in the state and the nation at large is infectious and likened to a moving train.
