As dates for campaigns for 2027 elections draw nearer, political hopefuls are getting serious with their calculations.
In Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River federal constituency plots, conspiracies and schemes are already underway; with them lie the thrills and betrayal that would spice the drama during the electioneering campaigns. But Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, member representing the zone in the House of Representatives, has enormous advantages.
He has already joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Peter Mbah and others. Also, he has promised, or have started providing, support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term reelection bid. In other words, Engr. Onwuegbu is in the right and powerful circles both at the state and federal levels – an unequal advantage that makes him taller than any prospective opponents in the coming race.
But his strength will come mostly from the fact that most of the hopefuls that would be competing with him are plain idiots.
In Aninri, some persons can no longer hide their intent to challenge the lawmaker at the polls. One of them, deploying his loyalists on social media, has started badmouthing Engr. Onwuegbu, claiming that he is occupying the chance meant for the people of Aninri. This man’s strategy is easy to see through – he hopes to exploit people’s sentiments and unite the council area against Onwuegbu.
But that strategy shows the brains of a fool, and it’s not going to hold water. For one thing, the plan fails to consider the interests of one man who holds greatest influence in Aninri politics at the moment.
Emerging from the shadows, Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku rode to prominence when Governor Mbah “anointed” him candidate for Aninri chairmanship in August 2024. Since then, the young man, after winning, has worked tirelessly to fasten his grips to power.
Time and time again, he has said publicly his intentions for second-term in 2026. And he has the governor’s ears like no other Aninri chairman ever did, having secured his present position without the help of the so-called kingmakers in Aninri politics.
Governor Peter Mbah would be relying on Nwanjoku to win Aninri in 2027, and the young man is absolutely capable. All his plans are not known, but it certainly can’t be his plan to support anyone from Aninri to go to House of Representatives in 2027. He would be upsetting the existing status quo which he is benefiting well from.
Presently, powers are equitably shared among the three main micro-zones in Aninri. Engr. Magnus Edeh and Lloyd Ekweremadu – from Nenwe and Umunne-Ato zones – are State Assembly member and Commissioner for Youths and Sports respectively, while Prince Nwanjoku – from Oduma zone – is the chairman of the council.
Since the choice of the candidate for federal constituency would be decided early 2026, Nwanjoku is not likely to allow clannish prejudice to direct him. If he supports Aninri man going for House of Representatives he would be writing himself off as the chairmanship candidate in the next council elections around October 2026.
And the Ndumeze Prince, an ambitious person, is certainly not going to place anyone’s interests above his. His smartest moves must include working to foil any Aninri man’s attempt to replace Anayo Onwuegbu in 2027. If he does that, he himself would have ample opportunity to go for the seat in 2031.
The chairman also knows that he cannot afford support a losing candidate. And, so far, all of them who are showing interest for Onwuegbu’s seat are losers going by their credentials.
A lot is still certain to change between now and the decision dates. But constant is the fact that Prince Ugochukwu Nwanjoku is a core, smart politician. If Governor Peter Mbah – the ultimate godfather – chooses to support Anayo Onwuegbu, Nwanjoku will deliver the lawmaker’s reelection bid with accuracy.
