The just concluded 2023 general elections in the country has been described as a tsunami. A lot of surprises sprang up.It was an election that defied many predictions. People are still in awe of the hurricane that swept away political generals and elevated political heroes overnight with the attendant wave. Anambra,no doubt, has a fair share of this wave perhaps because it is the home state of the labour party presidential candidate,Mr Peter Obi who has become a beautiful bride in the political space and household name in the country. ANAMBRA PEOPLE looked at the election and spotted some people whose political career has received a boost following the 2023 election:
Peter Obi: He is the source of the wave. Even though he is working hard to reclaim the mandate many believed was massively given to him by Nigerians at the court ,he remains the ultimate hero of the election. He has become a darling of the nation and turned to a sensation. As a third force he shook the very foundation of the Nigerian political structure. In a party many politicians described as structureless, he put up a fight that sent shivers down the spine of the ruling party. Today ,his Labour party has won 34 seats in the green chambers of the national assembly and 7 seats in the red chambers. This is a party that hitherto has no representation at all. It’s expected that labour party will equally sweep some states assembly seat and governorship positions in the coming election.
People have described this as a political magic and they are full of praises for the kind of change Peter Obi has started which has thrown up a motor cycle operator and a community security personnel as members of house of representatives.
Victor Umeh: He was the former APGA National chairman and erstwhile senator who was humiliated during the Anambra central APGA senatorial primary election which saw the emergence of Hon Dozie Nwankwo. Victor Umeh joined the Labour Party Movement and was always seen with Peter Obi at almost every outing of the party. According to him,he was happy uniting with his former political ally. With a powerful incumbent in the person of Senator Uche Ekwunife, nobody ever believed that Chief Umeh will succeed with his senatorial ambition. This is judging by Senator Ekwunife’s achievements coupled with the fact that her image loomed so large in the senatorial District where many had dubbed her the queen of Anambra central politics. Fortunately for Chief Victor Umeh, Ekwunife was caught up in the wave of the tsunami that saw Victor Umeh trounce Ekwunife at the poll. Even the APGA candidate that had the backing of the Governor could not pull through. Following this, Victor Umeh has been able to regain his pride and according to him he is ready to give effective representation to Anambra central senatorial zone at the red chambers.
Senator Ifeanyi Uba: Incumbent senator representing Anambra South senatorial Zone under YPP. He had fallen out with the establishment,the Catholic church, top Billionaires and left to his fate. With a relatively known party,the YPP Senator Ifeanyi Uba faced with diminishing resources contended with Hon Chris Azubogu a three time house of representatives member who became the darling of the establishment. Azubogu is equally a candidate of Anambra’s ruling party, APGA who according to his people took representation to another level. He also faced the politically crooked Chris Uba and Obinna Uzoh. He survived these political giants and even went on to spread his political tentacle having made incursion into Orumba north and south federal Constituency.
Uche Okonkwo: the 32 year old Canada trained political scientist and analytical writer comes from a the political dynasty of Senator Annie Okonkwo. He contested previously in 2019 under the SDP and returned with the labour party in 2023 defeating a three time member of the house of representatives, Obinna Chidoka and younger brother to Osita Chidoka former Corp Marshall of the federation and minister of aviation who is also a PDP chieftain.
Uche Okonkwo is equally the youngest National assembly member in the 10th Assembly from Anambra State.
Princess Helen Mbakwe. Senatorial candidate of NNPP. Even though not a winner in the election made a very impressive outing . She ran the best campaign which centered on issues, devoid of mud slinging and shenanigans. Princess Mbakwe sold her brand in the most effective way and people are impressed with her outing. She’s no longer a push over in Anambra central politics. PDP should begin to hunt for this kind of personalities that will help rebuild the battered image of the party in the state.
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