By Chibuzor Ugochukwu
Owerri zone politics is a perfect example where those who rake the muck
and the muck-rakers co-exist. You see that in the teeming number of
persons who want to represent the zone in the red chambers of the Senate
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They are all jostling to succeed
the incumbent, the ebullient Senator Chris Anyanwu whose second tenure
expires in June 2015.
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), aspirants are lining up and few
more are expected to join as the tempo of the race increases. But who
will clinch the party ticket? What qualities should the PDP delegates in
Owerri Zone consider before casting their ballot in the party primaries
billed for sometime in October?
To deeply appreciate the manner of personality that would seamlessly
succeed the incumbent Senator and guide Owerri zone to its desired
socio-economic £um political destination, it is imperative to go on a
voyage of discovery of the people and politics of Owerri Zone. This
position is further strengthened by the standard and candor Senator
Chris Anyanwu has set in her two tenures of representation of the zone
on the floor of the Senate. Therefore, any personality that must succeed
her most not only be qualified, but must have the wherewithal to
surpass the achievements and stability Senator Chris has brought to
bear. Owerri Zone is a zone brimming with sound intellectuals, seasoned
technocrats, well-heeled business people, notable politicians and
globally acclaimed professionals.
It is therefore a well rounded Senatorial Zone. The race to represent it
should not be replete with all the appurtenances of a typical
kindergarten race. With the entrepreneurial prowess of the typical
Mbaise and Mbaike people, the gutsy spirit of the Ngor Okpala and Owerri
man and imbued derring-do of the average Owerri Zone man, the zone is
undoubtedly laden with a group of uncommon creatures.
As the landlords of the State Capital territory, the people of Owerri
Zone has not faired less in the political activities of the State and
the Country. To posit that the politics of Imo State is incomplete
without Owerri Zone is to state the obvious. A collection of these
factors have positioned the Zone in a prime position in the politics of
the State.
This is why the zone needs a pragmatic, selfless, public-spirited
leader, a person of integrity who can easily connect with the people and
give them what they desire. Not people with a history of brigandage and
wanton indulgence in vainglory. What Owerri Zone needs today and
tomorrow is a leader, a person they can trust, a man who has in time
past demonstrated an uncommon knack to engender development even with
limited resources. Among the motley crowd of contenders and pretenders
to the PDP ticket of Owerri Zone Senate, only Hon Samdaddy Nnaemeka
Anyanwu, an elegantly simple businessman turned politician fits into
this leadership mould.
With a handsome and likeable look, Hon Samdaddy has bestrode the Imo
State political scene like a colossus. He remains the only person in
living memory who amassed the highest followership and admiration from
his subjects while in office as the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru LGA,
and as the member representing Ikeduru in the hallowed chambers of the
Imo State House of Assembly. His connections with the people has nothing
to do with his oratorical suavity or persuasive dexterity, it owes much
to his indelible landmarks and footprints of development.
The biblical cliche in the holy writ of proverbs which says “seems thou a
man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings, he shall not
stand before men of low estate” aptly describes Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu,
PDP Aspirant for Owerri Zone Senate. He is passionate with little
details such that nothing escapes his sights. He seems to see beyond the
ordinary, which makes him to personally attend to little details until
he achieves the desired perfection. This is the kind of man that can
represent Owerri Zone in the Senate.
It is important to note that since the emergence of Hon. Samdaddy
Anyanwu in politics and PDP, the party has not being the same again. He
did not only win the Local Government election for the party in a keenly
contested election, he has hugely changed the fortunes of the party in
Ikeduru and Imo State in general. The popularity and growing strength of
the PDP could be traced to this loyal, hardworking, urbane and humble
politician.
As the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Area between 2003
and 2007 under the PDP, Hon. Samdaddy Anyanwu has remained as constant
as the northern star, as far as loyalty to the party is concerned. He
used the delivery of the dividends of democracy to build a solid
foundation and support base for the party in the area. Hon Samdaddy’s
tenure as the council head witnessed a transformation both in human
capital development and infrastructural development. He launched a free
computer training programme for youths in Ikeduru that kick started a
computer revolution in Ikeduru. Hon. Anyanwu as LGA Chairman constructed
the Afor-lolo Amaimo road, built the perimeter fence of the Council
Secretariat, sunk boreholes in various communities in the Council
including the borehole at the Council Secretariat, he constructed market
stalls in major markets in Ikeduru, gave bursary to students of Ikeduru
origin studying in institutions of higher learning, among other visible
achievements.
Naturally, this litany of achievements like bees to honey expanded the
membership scope of the PDP in Ikeduru, as well as brought unprecedented
goodwill to the party. Interestingly, this accomplishments instead of
getting into the head of Samdaddy and making him intransigent further
reinforced his loyalty to the party. The name Samdaddy and by extension
PDP became a household name in Ikeduru, and also synonymous with the
delivery of the dividends of democracy. This is the major reason why
till date it will be very difficult for another political party to win
election in Ikeduru.
In the words of George Washington, the doyen of the American nation
“great minds have purposes others have wishes, little minds attain
greatness and are subdued by misfortunes, but great minds rise above
them”. In the State House of Assembly, Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu became a
rallying point for all PDP members in the House. He combined his
brilliance in the area of bills and motions on the floor of the House
with active participation in party activities thereby justifying his
election by his constituents as well as confirming his position as a
loyal party man.
Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu has sponsored three bills in the Imo State House of
Assembly, and co-sponsored over sixteen other bills ant motions.
Chiefly among them is the Customary Court amendment law? law that
enabled lawyers to preside over Customary Courts in the State as against
the old practice of using lay people. This law provided job
opportunities for lawyers. The House of Assembly motion that provide
basic infrastructure to traders at the timber and allied market Naze was
also sponsored by Hon Samdaddy. Today, traders at this market v never
forget the name SAMDADDY.
This quintessential legislator has facilitated the employment of over
sixty youths of Ikeduru in the State ministries, agencies and
parastatals. Most of the people he gave admission into institutions of
higher learning are currently studying now, and those he gave job will
forever remain grateful to this selfless politician. His investments in
youth activities are truly second to none. Hon Samdaddy as records have
it is the only Ikeduru politician that has consistently supported the
National Youth Council of Nigeria Ikeduru Chapter and other student
bodies. These explain the numerous awards at his disposal.
What is remarkable about this politician is that in choosing to remain
with the PDP to pursue his political career, he has come to understand
that opportunities never come to those who wait; they are captured by
those who dare to attack.
Hon Samdaddy has continued to attack in the pursuit of his political
career but is doing so with politeness and every sense of
responsibility. In pledging his continued allegiance to the PDP, the
generous Hon Samdaddy shines the light on the dark alley of party
loyalty so thin inhabited in our political system. With politicians like
Hon Samdaddy Anyanwu, there is still hope for the party and our
politics. Hon. Samdaddy’s financial support to the party has remained
legendary. Little wonder his frequent visits to the party secretariat
are always greeted with tumultuous welcome. “Action” is his second name.
Happily, the leadership of the PDP in the State has continued to
acknowledge the uncommon loyalty of this sagacious lawmaker, and one is
upbeat that the party will look at the direction of Hon Samdaddy when it
is time to reward loyalty.
”
Let it be known, that I didn’t just join the APC, I was wooed by the
legacy parties and four other PDP governors then. Naturally in every
bargain, interests must be spelt out. Of course they did promise me the
Vice Presidential ticket in the forth coming election with a condition
to sell the party and make President Jonathan unpopular. The initial
arrangement was to pair me with Hon. Tambuwal (Speaker of House of
Representatives) .