The struggle to take over governorship from Hope Uzodinma by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and former lawmaker in the upper legislative Chamber representing Imo Senatorial district, Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy) is brewing crisis among their kinsmen in Mbaise clan.
As politics is gradually heating up in Imo amid high level of insecurity, there was a report of endorsement of Anyanwu who is the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The endorsement of Anyanwu who hails from Ikeduru Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State for 2023 governorship by a faction of Ihedioha’s kingsmen with the platform, Mbaise Patriotic Assembly (MPA), led by a former Attorney General in the state, Justice Aguwa (retd), has set in motion, a serious confusion.
Reacting to the endorsement, a group operating under the aegis of Mbaise Apex Leaders led by Retired Air Commodore Luke Ochulor and made up of Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN) and Chief PGU Madu fumed and declared it a nullity.
They insisted on Ihedioha being the choice of Mbaise people and said those who endorsed Sam Anyanwu were acting on their own, adding that Anyanwu should not step into Mbaise land as they would not want confusion.
The group believed that there was a plot to return Emeka Ihedioha to Sam Mbakwe House, insisting that nothing has changed.
Yet another group emerged from Mbaise clan and throw their weight behind the stance of Mbaise Patriotic Assembly by endorsement of Sam Anyanwu.
The latest group explained that
“Ihedioha had been the choice of the people on two occasions without success, it would be better to look for another qualifed, credible and vibrant choice, either from Mbaise clan or Owerri Zone to contest in the November 2023 Imo governorship election to avoid losing out again to another zone.”
Ihedioha and Anyanwu have contested Imo State governorship primary on PDP platform in 2019 which Anyanwu lost. The contest generated controversy and Anyanwu went to Court. Though, Emeka Ihedioha won the election and sworn into office, he was removed by his challenger, the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, through a Supreme Court judgement.
