Samdaddy: Solution to a dying Imo

By Dumebi Ifeanyi

Among the five states of the South-East region of Nigeria, Imo and Abia have not had it good in terms of leadership. This, no doubt, has impeded the development of the two states on all fronts.

Ebonyi state had hitherto been ridiculed for its backwardness, especially in the area of infrastructural development, but today, the infrastructural revolution led by former governor of the state, David Umahi has changed the narrative. In fact, Ebonyi can now compete for the best slot in the comity of states.

Abia, with the election of seasoned administrator, Alex Otti, as governor has, indeed, set its foot on the right path towards emancipation from political morass. There is high hope that Abia would become a model state in the next four years.

But one question that yearns for answers is – what becomes the fate of Imo State? The Eastern Heartland is at a crossroads at the moment. Whatever decision the residents of the state take on 11th November will determine whether the state will toe the path of redemption or total doom. Imo will either join the other states in taking a giant leap in advancement or remain the butt of ridicule as has been the case in the past four years.

But the most amazing thing is that those who have held the state down for these four years are not ready to let go. They are not yet done with oppression.

As the Nov.11 Governorship election draws closer, all eyes are on Imo to get it right this time. The electorate must therefore, shun primitive sentiments and go for the best, for the battle that lies ahead is not for the faint hearted. Two major factors will induce the choice of who takes over the governorship of the state in January next year. They are competence and capacity. Imo people must look out for the one who is competent enough to navigate the state out of the doldrums and also has the capacity to wrest power from the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The national and state assembly elections held earlier in the year brought to the fore Uzodimma’s desperation to retain the governorship of the state while the people wallow in pain, depression and dejection. While the incumbent governor obviously has no substantial achievements upon which to campaign for a second term, one thing he has in abundance is the desperation for re-election. Two fierce battles therefore lay ahead. One is to recover Imo from Uzodimma. The other is to rebuild all that he has destroyed within the few years he held sway.

Among the array of candidates jostling for the governorship of the state, one stands out most prepared for these two tasks. He is Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy). Apart from being the candidate of the main opposition party, the PDP, Anyanwu has seen it all and has a deep understanding of the political configurations of Imo, nay Nigeria. Nothing can confound him. Before Uzodimma makes the move, Anyanwu, owing to his vast experience in election politics, would have seen ahead and will definitely beat the incumbent governor to the coveted seat.

While Uzodimma cannot boast of having genuinely won any election through the ballot, Anyanwu has an unblemished record of victories at the ballot. At a young age, he was elected the Executive Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government. His sterling performance and humane approach to governance endeared him to the people who unanimously gave him the mandate to represent them at the Imo State House of Assembly. Within four years at the state legislature, Anyanwu proved his mettle and earned the confidence of the people of Owerri Zone who in accord elected him to represent the zone in the Senate. Suffice it to say that it is a terrain Anyanwu is familiar with. This distinguishes him from other candidates and stands him out as the only one to beat Uzodimma at the poll.

As a consummate businessman, with interest in real estate, agriculture, communication and technology, Anyanwu possesses the Midas touch to revive Imo, through creation of jobs and initiation of policies that would rejig the ailing economy. He also has and can identify his classmates, unlike those who magically passed through schools without classmates.

With Samdaddy, Imo shall rise again.