2027: Why Okigwe Zone Seeks Longers
Uche Maduwike
It is fair and accurate to posit that Chief Longers Anyanwu is one of the most experienced politicians from Okigwe Senatorial District as at today. He is one of those who have worked closely and enjoyed the confidences of almost all Nigerian Presidents, since 1999. From President Obasanjo to Yar’Adua, to Jonathan and even President Buhari, his talent, depth and integrity are his selling points.
You cannot talk about Longers Anyanwu”s political affiliations and activities without talking about his seeming Siamese relationship with the governor of Imo State, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON. Not a few people have wondered why he doesn’t seem to be wielding much influence within the 3R administration, but when you ask him, he would dismiss it by telling you that nothing counts more than the success of the administration itself and that he is proud to have been part of its making.
Longers is not someone to break his head over ambitions, but I know that he does not just have a desire to represent his people in the Senate, he also has a legislative blueprint that would restore Okigwe’s voice and influence in the Nigerian Senate and in the Nigerian political geometry.
Okigwe zone, otherwise known as Imo North Senatorial District has played a pivotal role in the governance and politics of Imo State, since the creation of the State in 1976. While it is the smallest Senatorial District by number of LGAs, its influence and impact far outweigh its size. It has produced some of the finest political leaders from Imo State and Nigeria.
While the area has produced some great legislators, both at the State and national level, the people of the area appear to be determined this time around to deploy one of its most courageous and experienced sons to the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, where they believe they need a stronger presence than they have had, in recent times.
A respected political leader from the zone confided in me that the 2027 election would be a great opportunity to reposition Okigwe zone in the politics of Imo State, by ensuring that someone with the capacity and the courage is elected as the next Senator of the zone.
“We need someone with a wide network of friendship like Chief Longers Anyanwu to represent us in the Senate. His longstanding friendship and political affiliation with the governor, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, would also be beneficial to the people of the zone when someone like him is elected to the Senate, as he will definitely tap from the governor’s huge political capital and legislative experience to attract meaningful development to the people of Okigwe zone.”
Many respondents also refer to his record of service both as a former commissioner of agriculture, Sure-P coordinator and other important national and State assignments that he has undertaken as factors that place him ahead of other contenders for the Okigwe Senatorial District. They argue that 2027 is a critical time in the politics of not just the zone but the entire Southeast and Nigeria at large, and they would need someone with the clout and vibrancy of Chief Anyanwu to represent them in the Senate.
Anyanwu, a founding National Chairman of the Accord Party has worked closely with the incumbent governor of the State for more than two decades, and it is believed that since Governor Uzodimma would be leaving the governorship, it would be necessary to have one of his closest allies from Okigwe zone in the Senate, so that the zone can be sure of being fully aligned to the governor’s political plans, post-governorship.
While it is expected that the incumbent might want to stake a claim for a second term ticket, close observers are of the opinion that if the criteria for a second term is strictly based on performance, then, his might not have been above average. When asked about some of the federal government projects and agencies like the Federal Medical Centre and a new federal University that have been sited in the zone within this period, Comrade Martins Eze has this to say;
“He might just be a child of circumstance, because he happened to be there when a governor that prioritised the development of the entire State is on seat, and we know that it was His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, that played the most important roles in ensuring the successful passage and implementation of these bills. Whether he was able to duly acknowledge the governor is a discussion for another day.”
Chief Longers Anyanwu has a rich political and leadership resume, no doubt, and his election to the Senate of the Federal Republic would be a great choice by the people of Okigwe zone, but, the next few weeks, will determine if this desire of a majority of Okigwe stakeholders that I interacted with, will come to reality, or if the people will continue to wish for the best while managing the average.
In summary, Okigwe seeks Longers because he has the experience, the contacts and the courage to give Okigwe zone, the voice and the visibility that they haven’t had in a very long time. I do hope that APC, the Party he has invested a lot of his personal resources and talent into serving, would elect him as their flag bearer in the upcoming primaries. He is a sure bet to deliver the votes to the Party and deliver the goodies to the people.
Uche Maduwike, an opinion analyst writes from Amaraku, Isiala-Mbano