Why I’m Gunning For Senate Seat In Imo -Ex-Ondo First Lady

Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has expressed great admiration for her ancestral Emeabiam Community located in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

Despite being married outside of her homeland, she remains deeply connected to Emeabiam due to its captivating green landscapes and tranquil atmosphere. This connection encourages her to return frequently, particularly during the holiday season, to celebrate with her family.

The former First Lady is actively engaged in the development of her ancestral home, having established a police post and provided financial support to the community’s vigilance group to address the increasing security concerns in the area.

Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who is aspiring to represent the Owerri Zone in the Senate under the Labour Party platform, asserts that her identity as a bona fide indigene of the Imo East Senatorial District cannot be erased, thus qualifying her to represent her people, despite her marriage to a man from Owo, Ondo State.

During a meeting with ward and Owerri Municipal Council executives of the Labour Party on Wednesday, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu explained that contesting an election in her marital home is unnecessary, as the amenities she seeks to bring are already abundant in Owo.

She stated, “Let us be honest. The Yoruba appear to be ahead of us. In Owo, all roads are paved, and there are two universities. However, in my Owerri Zone, particularly Emeabiam, there are no roads, no health centre, and the school buildings are in disrepair.

“Marriage does not erase identity. In my case, my parents raised me well, and I lived harmoniously with my husband, who supported my endeavors. Although my husband has passed away, he continues to support me in spirit. He understood the value I placed on my roots. Owo feels like a foreign country, with its paved roads, universities, and medical centre, but these are absent in Emeabiam. So, where should I seek a Senate seat? In Owo, which is already developed, or in Emeabiam?”

She requested that members of the Labour Party respond, when questioned about her aspiration for a Senatorial seat in Imo rather than Ondo State, by stating that Imo State requires her type of representation more than Ondo State.

According to her, her style of leadership will be characterized by experience, efficiency, courage, competence, and compassion.

She elaborated, “I retired from the federal civil service after 28 years, and I understand how government functions. I also possess compassion, as demonstrated by my efforts to stop the harassment and extortion of Igbo traders in Akure while at Government House in Alagbaka. I have accomplished various initiatives, such as training the girl-child, securing appointments for some Igbo individuals in the Ondo State Government. There was an Mbaise individual I encouraged to participate in politics, who was first appointed as a supervisory councillor, later elected as a councillor, and eventually appointed as Caretaker Chairman before my husband’s passing.”

Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu urged Labour Party members to ensure her victory in both the primary and main elections to demonstrate what effective representation entails.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Labour Party in Owerri Municipal Council, Hon. Sabinus Ihekire, remarked that any married woman who brings prosperity from her husband’s place, like the former First Lady, to her maiden home deserves support and encouragement.

He called upon party members and citizens of the Owerri Zone to extend their support to her, just as they did when Mrs. Chris Anyanwu contested for the same seat.

Additionally, a leader of the Labour Party in the Municipality, Chief Bekee Anukam, pledged to secure his polling booth for the former First Lady as part of his contribution to her campaign.

He stated, “Listening to her, one cannot dispute her points. We are aware of everything she has articulated. Our task is to disseminate this message to others. We must engage in a door-to-door campaign, from community to community. Your Excellency, I pledge today to deliver my polling booth to you. Do not worry about the booth. I will handle it.”