By IKENNA ONUOHA

Monday, December 27, 2021, marked another new wave of political maturity in the lives of great minds of Imo State, as the people of Okigwe Local Government Area and, by extension, Okigwe Zone made up of APC, AA, APGA, YPP and several other political party members trooped out in their numbers to receive the National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, on hearing about his arrival at Umuinem autonomous community, Okigwe LGA.

Senator Samdaddy – as Anyanwu is fondly called – was in Umuinem community as part of his strategies to woo members into PDP.

The erstwhile Imo PDP Boss, Chief (Barr) Charles Babatunde Ezekwem (Ikemba Okigwe), was on ground in collaboration with, Chief Uche Eze, Chief (Barr) Modestus Nwokoro, and Pastor Frank Onwumere as well as others too numerous to mention to control the mammoth crowed that received the National Secretary.

Prior to this genuine lesson of sound political beginning and fraternity, people on the other side of political divides considered it a taboo and politically sacrilegious to fully identify themselves with members of opposition party no matter how highly placed, especially in Imo state.

Then, such unauthorized embrace as can be pictured today was usually accompanied with either sack, outright discrimination or isolation by members of his/her political family owing to the weight of such “offense”; hobnobbing with the opposition!

This move is unconnected with his earlier inaugural speech that over 30,000 APC, AA, APGA, etc, members will be joining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) soonest.

Surprisingly, the case is becoming or has become a history in the state following the acceptance preceded with warmth reception accorded to the National Secretary of the main opposition party in Nigeria, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Distinguished Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu by people of various political divides in Okigwe.

Remarkably, prominent amongst those that genuinely assembled to welcome the PDP National Secretary were Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, market Women, Other women Organizations, Okada riders, taxi operators, and artisans, amongst others.

It can be recalled that Senator Samdaddy had gone to Umuinem, the ancestral aboard of an ex-Imo PDPBoss, Barr Charles Ezekwem (Ikemba Okigwe) to sensitize the people and convince them on the need to join PDP to assist in the quest to rescue and rebuild the country from starvation, penury, hunger, insecurity and economic crunch.

It is very obvious that the entire home town of Chief (Barr) Charles Ezekwem smells APC, APC, APC, AA, AA, APGA, APGA, ACCORD as perceived since he left PDP, but owing to the fact that he served the party meritoriously without blemish, the need to persuade him to return back into the party remains sacrosanct and unstoppable.

In his reaction, the former Chairman of PDP in Imo State, Chief Ezekwem said: “I left PDP when I felt that my struggles and labor for the party were not appreciated. Information received had it that some people in the party who felt uncomfortable with my leadership were garnishing underground plots to bring trump up allegations against me in order to create room for my executive to pass vote of no confidence on me.

“Few days from now, I will call my team and political associates together and discuss about your plea for us to come back, thereafter, but not far from now, whatever we may resolve, we shall get back to you and make it open.

“For the National Secretary, Senator Samdaddy, he is a man of destiny who accommodates anyone around him. With him and his NWC team, we are sure that things will get better.”

It is no longer news to understand that Senator Samdaddy was truly received by a political family he should have been considered ordinarily, the main and verifiable OPPOSITION owing to his current status as National Secretary of PDP, a party that has given the ruling APC headache over its misrule.

But the resumed political tie, though still unbelievable to some pelicans is expected to instill joy, unity, peace and victory to the party in 2023 elections.

On the other hand, the mission to woo the former Imo PDP Boss and his political family (structure) would have been an exercise in futility but considering the individual involved and owing to the kind of personality the man at the centre of the persuasive move, Senator Samdaddy appears across party lines, the task is gradually becoming achievable.

Sequel to this, one will, but understand the genuine reason behind the thunderous ovation that greeted his appearance and reception at Umuinem. It is because he is a man that is accepted anywhere he goes to!

Apart from his natural instinct that allows him to reach out to every individuals irrespective of Party affiliations, Senator Samdaddy is viewed as one of the emerging leaders in Imo, South East and Nigeria that attaches no grudge, animosity or ill-feelings to politics.

As a man on a mission to salvage and deliver his generation, Senator Samdaddy sees political violence, acrimony and vengeance as not only awkward, ancient, un-developmental, and strange but cruel, idiotic, repulsive and most undeserving in all its ramifications.

Good enough, Senator Samdaddy has aligned himself with the mainstream of modern development political ethos hence, the myriads of sterling records of achievements to his credit.

“Anyanwu” (sun), as good and adoring the name implies shines to the good, the bad, and the ugly without grudges or qualms. That is, in practice; to APC, to APGA, to AA, and to YPP, etc.

On the other hand, the sun gives light to everyone irrespective of the magnitude or gravity of such person’s sins, wickedness, social brigandage, corruption, fraud or animosity because of its philosophy of “water . . . E no get enemy” as captured by a popular music maestro, Fela Kuti.

Senator Samdaddy is indeed, a good story yet to be told to those who care to hear soonest, a man of destiny with endowed and untapped grace. The special grace in him gives him the omnipotent route of escape anytime there are both political and social gang-ups against him with ease.

Today, at the chagrins of his political adversaries and traducers, he “cheated” them again to climb to where he is presently.

This is unconnected with his proven and impeccable free lifestyle “ndu ba-kwumi”, which has succeeded in opening doors of success and victory for him and anyone around him.

Indeed, the doors of his political family, the PDP is always widely open to receive and accommodate anyone who will genuinely be resourceful to the party in the fight ahead.

In the team to Okigwe include, Evang. Myke Ikeokwu (CEO, Allseason Group), Hon Austin Nwachukwu, Hon George Igbo, Hon Peter Ezenwa Orji, Hon Nnanna Anumihe, Hon Sam Ejiogu and Chief Sam Anokam amongst others.

The story of Senator Samdaddy will definitely end in praise and thanksgiving to the glory of God!!!

•Onuoha is the Special Adviser (Media) to the National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu