As the final week to the long awaited Feb 25,2023 general election in Nigeria dawns, ebbs away into history, we xray and review the senatorial candidates. This include their areas of political strength, achievements, public perception /disposition and relationship.
The list includes popular and well-known names/faces like Senator Uche Ekwunife, Senator Victor Umeh, Hon Dozie Nwankwo, Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, Princess Helen Mbakwe and Dr Chinedu Umeadi.
It’s inarguable that with the array these five well tutored eggheads the senatorial district parades the best hands in the country today.
NWANKWO : (APGA)
This young debonair lawmakers completes the 3-way action packed contestants for the Anambra Central Senatorial seat.
A very young political eye-on-the-ball go-getter, Nwankwo from all indication never for a moment lose touch with his mission at the National Assembly (NASS). He was a successful business executive who loves doing good to his people vide scholarship, skill acquisition, widowhood support, women/youth empowerment, small/medium enterprise assistance and guide, as well as micro credit loans scheme.
Others include computer training for self reliance, hairdressing/barbing salon, welding, etc.
He remains the only lawmaker in the history of Anambra State to establish two outstanding legacy projects. He conceived, and built a giant two-storey building with two hundred and fifty units of computers, for round the year training of mainly youths and the young at heart.
These were spread in three lecture auditorium with one on the ground floor, first floor and the second floor.
The youths are already savoring the full benefit of the fully equipped computer college.
Again, Nwankwo also brought a full campus of the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu to Enugwu-ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State. In addition, to attracting the agric college, he dolled out scholarship to the pioneer students.
Nwankwo was earlier called out by the citizens of the Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency to go represent them at the NASS due to his numerous humanitarian works. They had argued that if he could do so much as a private citizen and with his funds, that leveraging on the benefits of the NASS he will be wonderful.
It’s in effort to touch more lives that he now seek the massive voting support of the electorates to go to the Senate.
Popularly called “Onyendozi” because of his numerous good works, Hon Dozie Nwankwo is today a household name in the state. He has strived to touch many people’s lives in the last eight years.
He said, I need everyone’s support.
EKWUNIFE:(PDP)
Senator Ekwunife is seeking a return to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly for a record third time. She has really been around and the people have seen her better days. They now wished she steps aside for a younger, stronger and more vibrant representative to take over. She was also urged to learn to groom younger ones to begin to climb the political ladder, even from councilorship, state assembly, etc.
Ekwunife had her political sparks, but that was years ago. She spent two tenured of eight years at the Green Chambers. She has now spent equal number of years in the Red Chambers and want some more. But the democratic voices of dissent have become too loud.
She built houses for some widows, did well in roads construction, and welfare of constituents.
It’s indeed hard to point out her core area of strength going by the widespread public feeling for need for a new face to step in.
It’s clear that wanting to return to Senator this time was not out of love for the constituents, but may be for Senate president’s e mi, lokan!
UMEH (Labour Party)
Just like Ekwunife, Umeh’s efforts to return to Senate is visibly fuelled by a high sense of entitlement rather than love for the people.
Believing so much in his bulky physique and intimidating use of words, Chief Umeh sees himself as the one to ‘fight, defend and get all there is for Ndigbo and South East in Abuja’. But he may consider a wise counsel of a constituent, Mr George Malife, that he should focus on the needs, challenges and expectations of his senatorial district- being ravaged daily by galloping gully erosions, national neglect and open marginalization instead of playing oratorical national hero that would serve his constituents no beneficial purpose at the end.
Yes, he has what it takes, but whether he knows what it takes is the big question. Because this is the same man who poured invectives on Peter Obi when he was choked into leaving APGA but didn’t waste time to jump boat too when he lost the APGA senatorial primary on August 28,2022. Politicians as leaders should bridle their tongues because the future is certain. It takes more than words to get things done!
He’s now fighting to restore his nomination, having been disqualified by the Federal High Court earlier on Jan 27, and charged not to parade himself as a candidate whatsoever. But he argued that an appeal was enough legal stay
OKELEKWE: (APC)
This young man represents the All Progressives Congress(APC). Unfortunately he started late in the electioneering campaigns . So apart from those that knew him for his past exploits only little is currently known of him.
He has always been a friendly and open hearted successful businessman. But today it’s hard to say if he has other motives for coming out other than victory. Because his body language was clearly saying something different.
However, who knows. He may have a last-minute joker up his sleeves. Because politicians often work like magicians.
UMEADI:(YPP)
A very young medical expert who is keen and eager to impress. He speaks with so much zeal that given the opportunity he would bring in some sparks to the needs and expectations of the people. Already, he has unleashed some palliatives and poverty alleviation tools including scholarships and healthcare measures on the citizens, funded privately.
He has the urge, just like few others to bring the constituent’s needs to the national front burner at once.
MBAKWE:(NNPP)
Princess Helen Mbakwe is on the platform of NNPP. For the few times she was encountered in public, this Senate hopeful showed a fine heart and zeal as one in a hurry to tackle all the pervading ills of the Nigeria society. That is certainly not likely, as things are not that simple. Else all others in the race would have set sail on tackling them long before she arrived the States political scene. It won’t be out of place to intimate this first timer that human leadership affairs are not usually that simple.
But it must be acknowledged that if she continue in her stride, it won’t be long when she gets to the top of her aspiration.
