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As Iwuanyanwu is Buried: See Gladiators Eyeing Imo State Douglass House

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Late Iwuanyanwu
By Samuel Arinze,
Political Pundit, Lagos Nigeria.
On Nov 1st   2024 one of the most influential Igbo citizen to emerge from Imo State, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu will be laid to rest in his hometown Atta Ikeduru ,  and all the political stakeholders in  Imo state, the southeast and beyond are expected to grace the event.
His funeral  will be an ample opportunity for all the gladiators aspiring for the apex seat at the Douglass House , to meet, exchange pleasantries and size each other out in preparation for the mother of all political contest in Imo come 2027 , as clock ticks towards the end  of Sen. Uzodinma’s time as Imo Governor.
Imo is not in short supply of statesmen, elites, technocrats and vibrant entrepreneurs, most of them have been polishing  their leadership skills and preparing themselves for an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Imo people if given an opportunity to govern the state, and have started consultations, sampling  opinions of king makers, power brokers, community leaders, towards realizing  their ambitions.
The major spectrum of power play in Imo State
In Imo state, there are three geo-political zones, namely: Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe zones. And it’s a fact that the population and economic  strength of the State is tipped towards Orlu Zone , as it is  gifted with  more  Local Government Areas (12) in total against (9) LGA’s in Owerri Zone and Okigwe Zone with (6) LGA’s, thereby cementing its numeric strength, as politics is a game of numbers.
Owerri Zone and the Zoning Question
The biggest factor that will tip the balance of the next gubernatorial election of Imo State to Owerri zone is the written zoning agreement in APC which is not binding to PDP, APGA, LP and other political parties in the State,  but the  zoning of gubernatorial election to a zone is not constitutionally binding.
In Imo State politics , the sentiment of zoning still persists even though there seems to be no general agreement on the basis of equity that political power should rotate among the zones in the State . And there  are school of thought  who believes that zoning of electoral leadership position, enable mediocres to rise to seats of  leadership, thereby shortchanging the people.
Nevertheless the zoning argument  favours  Owerri zone and the personalities  alleged to be interested in the Douglass house Job from the zone seems endless, the likes of  Sen. Sam Anyanwu  who contested in the last guber election, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha who governed Imo State for barely 7 months before losing in court , Sen. Ezenwa Onyewuchi  representing Owerri zone at the national assembly are believed to be  poised for the next guber election.
Prince Alex Mbata (PAM) an enigmatic philanthropist, Chief Martin Agbaso, a  heavy weight and consistent power player in Imo guber politics, and  Rt. Hon. Bede Eke a former lawmaker and current commissioner in Sen. Hope Uzodimma’s administration are  expected in the contest.
Other political stalwarts  like Prince Charles Amadi ,Chief Marcon Nlemigbo , Dr. Uzoma Obiyo, Rt Hon Engr. Ikenna Elezianya former law maker, Mr. Stanley Amuchie a finance expert  with impressive multi- functional work experience in corporate governance, and Chief Henry Njoku, a successful  industrialist  are alleged to be weighing their options.
Orlu Zone and the challenge of a successor
In recent times, it has been a strong challenge for any governor in Imo State to anoint a successor, and the politicians emerging from Orlu zone has the wherewithal to gun for the seat at the Douglas House without  assistance of the Governor.
It will be a herculean task for the next governor of Imo State to emerge from Orlu Zone, but the quality of aspirants that have emerged from the zone is startling. Power is not given but taken and it’s going to be a daunting task for anyone to win election against the likes of Senator Osita Izunaso and Hon/Chief Charles Orie.
Senator Osita Izunaso is a veteran politician who has been at the forefront  of the political rumble in Imo and Orlu zone for over 2decades now. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2003  and first became a senator in 2007 before returning to the national assembly in 2023 election.
Hon/Chief Charles Orie is a seasoned politician, philanthropist and kingmaker who recently showcased his innovative economic administrating prowess, with his significant strides during his time as MD/CEO of  ISOPADEC and is  a tough nut to crack.
Its an oversight to ignore the capacity of Hon/Chief Sir Uche Nwosu, son in law of former governor of Imo State  and Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie the present Chief of Staff to  Imo State Governor,  a vibrant politician and son of the famous honourable Chief Anyaehie from Nkwerre.
Okigwe Zone’s Dilemma
With Okigwe Zone comprising of only 6LGA’s, the next Imo state governor to emerge from there will have a huge influence that cuts across the State zones , as well as a magnanimous persona , and it’s not by chance that the 3 leading names emanating from that zone, are big enough to influence positive voting outcome  across  the zones of the State as they are political assets themselves, with amazing profiles that  beats the  imagination.
The Okigwe Zones contingent includes former Governor Ikedi Ohakim who is constitutionally eligible for a single term of 4years, Sen. Athan Achonu an agronomist and detribalized Nigerian, and   seasoned economist, law maker  and ranking member at the national assembly Hon. Chike Okafor.
As Imo Mourns the exit of Ahaejiagamba, all eyes will be on the aforementioned gladiators at the momentous gathering of his funeral, as political pundits and power brokers will be studying their body language for signals of truth in this their alleged intentions.

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Olusegun Obasanjo’s Daughter Declares For Ogun Governorship, Joins APC

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Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has declared her intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on 103.7FM Eagle7 Sports, on Saturday.

The former commissioner ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus is firmly on the governorship race.

“So moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.

“Like the American would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.

“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”

The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.

“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.

Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.

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Nyesom Wike wishes de@th on any politician supporting ‘’betrayers’

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FCT Minister and former governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, has said that any senator, House of Representatives Member, Minister, or governor who supports betrayers will suffer betrayal in their lives and that such person will join their creator when they experience their own betrayal.

Wike who is currently in a running battle with his godson and incumbent governor of Rivers state, Sim Fubara, said this while speaking at a public function in the state today February 6.

Speaking to the crowd at the public function, Wike said

‘’Wether you are a Senator, House of Reps member, a Minister or Governor, and you support betrayers, people will continue to betray you in life. You see people who betray and support them, betrayal is your portion! Betrayal is your portion! and that day you will not have mouth to say anything and there you will collapse and there you will go and they will announce such person has died because that is the seed you have planted because whatever you plant, you reap and so since you are sowing betrayal, betrayal will always follow you.

Watch! Every governor who is doing his second term and has ambition to put a successor and is supporting betrayals, you will never survive it. Betrayal will follow you. From the day your successor comes in. My own took so many months, your own will start immediately the person has been inaugurated. That is what the gods of the land have told me to tell all of you’’

 

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How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun

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Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.

Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.

The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.

“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.

“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.

“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?

“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.

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