“Since 2015, only Hon. Somto has won any election in Ogbaru with APGA” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
The emergence of Rt. Hon. Somto Udeze, representing Ogbaru II constituency as the Speaker of Anambra State 8th House of Assembly is akin to using a single stone to kill many birds. In terms of qualification, academically, Hon. Somto is rounding up his doctorate programme and it is doubtful that there is any member of the 8th Assembly that holds an academic doctorate degree. So, it can as well be argued that he is one of the most educated members of the 8th Assembly.
On the question of experience, Hon. Somto is completely unrivaled being the only member of the 8th Assembly in his third term. He has been in Anambra State House of Assembly since 2015, when he was first elected on APGA’s platform and successfully served out his two terms of 8 years, and now in his third term. In addition, on the question of balancing political power across the three senatorial zones in Anambra State, Hon. Somto is from Anambra North senatorial zone that ordinarily, other things being equal, ought to produce the Speaker, considering that the Governor is from Anambra South and the Deputy Governor from Anambra Central. Finally, in terms of maturity, character and skill set to calmly navigate the House, definitely, Hon. Somto’s proficiency is not in doubt.
But even beyond all of those, Governor Chukwuma Soludo and APGA, by supporting Hon. Somto Udeze’s election as Speaker have further demonstrated uncanny neutrality, may be fairness, in the raging denominational tension in Anambra politics. Anambra politics is riddled with tales of denominational extremism which has pitched the denomination in the receiving end against the one perceived to be benefiting from the order that has been in place before now. This denominational division was created by the former governor, Peter Obi particularly during his reelection bid in 2010. From that time till recently, there has been an intense cold war which has sometimes manifested openly between Anglicans who feel victimized and tramped, and Catholics. This has been a long standing complaint. Although, not many people really notice or care, but for those that it matters to, it is one very serious big deal.
Upon assumption of office, Governor Willie Obiano continued the denominational imbalance from where Peter Obi left and the pressure mounted even more. But recently under Governor Soludo, that pressure with denominational undertone appears to be fizzling out into oblivion. At least for the longest memory, since the days of Peter Obi as Governor, this would be the very first time a non-Catholic has emerged as Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. For many, again, this might not count, but for the Anglican community who has been in the receiving end of this denominational division either by ordination or by omission, it is definitely some good news and signifies something new and different. For Soludo and APGA, it is a big political break.
More so, aside having one of the largest voting strengths in Anambra State, Ogbaru local government is a firm opposition stronghold. In fact, in the just concluded general elections, instead of voting for APGA, Ogbaru voters voted for LP in senate and House of Representatives election. During the 2021 governorship election, Ogbaru voted PDP and eventually, that was the only local government won by the PDP which gave it an edge over other opposition parties in that election. In the state Assembly, for the two constituencies in Ogbaru, voters there voted PDP – Hon. Somto Udeze and Hon. Noble Igwe. In fact, since 2015, only Hon. Somto has won any election in Ogbaru with APGA. What this means is that Hon. Somto Udeze has some bankable political capital in Ogbaru and for such a man, his rejoining APGA is a big deal for APGA that is worthy of some sacrifice on the party’s side. Politics remains a clear give and take, especially as the governor will be squaring up against different forces in his second term bid in about two years time. Ahead of that, both Soludo and APGA have to be battle ready now, even as the election approaches really fast.
Therefore, from all conceivable standpoints, Hon. Somto Udeze’s election as Speaker of Anambra State 8th House of Assembly is a single stroke that goes at a remarkably considerable length, to solving many outstanding political challenges, which the governor and APGA needed to deal with.
He is a Technical Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Adviser on Legislative Matters, whoonce was a Special Adviser to a former Deputy Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly. Ebuka is a second class upper division graduate of Political Science from University of Calabar, Calabar Nigeria and holds a Masters Degree in Political Science with specialization in Government and Development Studies, from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Nigeria
One comment
Henry
July 9, 2023 at 4:55 am
who says is non Catholic?