Imo: Why Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh Is More Credible, Acceptable And Strategically Positioned To Be Senator Anyanwu’s Running Mate

Posted on April 10, 2023

NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA

Ahead of the stand-alone, Saturday, November 11, 2023, Imo governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun its deep search to pair up Senator Samuel Anyanwu with a more dynamic, youth friendly and capable co-pilot for his party’s political accelerated flight to the Douglas House in the November 2023 polls.

While there is ongoing lobbying, concerted politicking, background negotiation and vested interest among the party leaders and power brokers in the state on whom to select to pair with the party’s governorship candidate, Sam Daddy, after the primaries slated for Saturday, April 15. A number of qualifications naturally spring to mind for consideration among any of the lucky candidates that will be eventually selected. Of course, one person must be chosen at the end of the day.

Since Senator Samuel Anyanwu is from Owerri Zone, Imo East Senatorial District, it becomes very expedient and also strategic to root for his running mate from Orlu Zone, Imo West Senatorial District; the largest in the state with 12 LGAs and the second largest in Nigeria with rich natural resources deposit.

With the seeming yet to be resolved internal party crisis and leadership jigsaw among the old political warlords in the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu needs a bridge builder; a technocrat, a fresh face, a new breed in the system, a reliable and vibrant young partner that appeals to the youths and satisfy that demographic clamour for a generational shift and representation in governance, especially in the wake up call for responsive, responsible and accountable leadership as exemplified in the ongoing Obi-dient Global Movement.

However, as the search for Imo second topmost job continues, one fine and polished individual that comes to mind as a perfect match to the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu, is no less personality than Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh. Young, dynamic, organised, educated, with deep sense of diligence to duty and assigned responsibility. Chief Odunzeh, before his fora into partisan politics, was a professional with cordon blue jobs within the corporate sharks of the United States of America (USA), where he was gainfully employed after his studies. A celebrated entrepreneur of international repute with interest spanning from real estate, oil and gas, health care, information technology, media, tours and hospitality, as he sits atop numerous flourishing companies as either the chairman or a director.

With a proven track record of excellence in service delivery while building nine -figure business conglomerates; Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh is the Chairman of award winning EUC Homes. A multi- million Naira group of companies with specialty in real estate, engineering, construction, corporate profiling and advertising.

Born into the respected family of High Chief & Lolo Austin Nwaoha Odunzeh (Akajiaku 1 of Eziachi) in the Orlu LGA, Imo State, on 28th October, 1980. He had his early education at the Childville Nursery School, Yaba, Lagos State and Our Lady of Apostles Primary School, Yaba, Lagos State, between 1983 and 1986. Uche Ben Odunzeh also had his secondary education at St. John’s College, Palm Groove Secondary School between 1991 and 1996 where he obatined his West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASCE); also studied Banking and Finance from the Imo State University before proceeding to the renowned University of District of Columbia, Washington DC, USA, where he had his Bachelor of Arts in Economics, between 2005 and 2008. It is also worthy to note that this service oriented businessman and philnatropist turned politician was a founding member of Nigerians In Diaspora Organisation (NIDO); an umbrella group that unites all Nigerian citizens overseas.

With the biting unemployment rate in Nigeria, Imo State in particular, there is an urgent need to form a government with the administrative acumen and policy thrust that can lift majority of her citizens out of poverty. This is where Senator Samuel Anyanwu needs to leverage on the international exposure, management skills and economic expertise of Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh, a United States of America trained and certified Economist, as a more credible, acceptable and competent running mate. Unfortunately, those in government have lost the bearing and idea on how to practically manage the Imo macro-economics with the realites on ground.

The tragedy of that misconception could be seen in the scorecards of some State and Local Government helmsmen, who celebrate the building of perimeter walls around government structures, distribution of foodstuff during festivities, and donation of vehicles to traditional rulers as landmark achievements. Yet good governance is that which is focused on the people, their safety and welfare, the optimal allocation of scarce resources and the effective implementation of policies for service delivery. This is why the People’s Democratic Party in Imo State should seriously consider and choose a firebrand economist like Uche Ben Udenzeh as a running mate to Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Despite having made a highly impressive attempt to secure the party’s ticket during the 2023 primaries for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh still burns with his original zeal to lift members of his Federal Constituency nay Imo people out of the doldrums as he continues to support the party, fund her activities in his Orlu LGA and reach out to her candidates at state level. His integrity, youthfulness, resourcefulness, formidable political structure across the 12 LGAs in Orlu zone, grassroots appeal and political sagacity may just be what Senator Samuel Anyanwu needs at this time rather than considering those who have a lot of baggages, scores to settle with both the state actors and political gladiators.

Just like the Abia State Deputy Governor-elect, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, a 38-year-old youth from Ohafia, and Labour Party’s candidate for Lagos State in the March 18 Governorship Election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, a 40 year old man from Lagos Island, the choice of Chief Uche Ben Odunzeh strongly appeals to majority of Imo youths and other conservatives, who truly love the Eziachi successful entrepreneur and philanthropist as they earnestly crave for a change of narrative in the political leadership of Imo State as he is seen as a breath of fresh air in the politics of Imo.

Njoku Macdonald Obinna,

Media Consultant|Publisher,