Dr Ibezim’s Choice As Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate, Another APGA Master Stroke

EMEKA OZUMBA Among the astute men and women mentioned in the search for Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Anambra’s ruling party, his name never featured, yet he is by no means a dark horse in the Anambra political space. Like the Biblical story of David among his brothers, Dr Gilbert Onyekachukwu Ibezim’s unexpected emergence as a widely acknowledged choice to stand beside and complement the qualities of erudite Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo, reminds us of the fervent hand of God in the affairs of men. 

A public health expert, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, as fondly known and addressed, is the scion of the Ibezim’s of Ovulu Umuoma village, one of the most revered families in Mbaukwu, Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State.  

An advocate of the provision of wholesome health services to Nigerians, Dr Ibezim is currently Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice. He also manages the Anambra State Oxygen Plant as well as being the executive director of the  Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA).

A renowned youth leader, mobilizer and political activist, Onyeka was appointed Special Adviser on Youths in 2014, which was expanded two years later to Youth Mobilization and Empowerment. Since then he has been one of the active youth representatives in the Obiano administration who has in the course of the tenure of the government acquitted himself creditably. 

Dr Ibezim attended the prestigious Federal Government College, Minna, Niger State, and graduated from College of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus. After his National Youth Service Corps, and prior to joining the Government of Anambra State, Ibezim was a Medical Practitioner with the Nigerian Ministry of Defence. 

A devout Christian and family man, Onyeka is a Knight of The Order of St Paul; and younger brother to the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese, (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Alexander Ibezim. 

Without doubt, Ibezim’s nomination as running mate to Prof Soludo in the November 6, 2021, Gubernatorial election is a master stroke as APGA has struck yet another gold in the political equations of Anambra State.