Samdaddy: Experience Counts

By Lancelot Obiaku

Of all the governorship aspirants in the various political parties in Imo State, Dist. Sen Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy) remains the only one who has been equipped with both legislative and administrative experience. The fact that he has been a local government chairman and presently a lawmaker means that he has acquired the much needed leadership experiences to steer the state to greater heights.

As a local government chairman during the governorship regime of Chief Achike Udenwa, Samdaddy made his mark. The political scientist ran a local government administration that was able to construct roads and install several other amenities for his people. Those who are conversant with the start up point of his so far glorious political career can attest that Samdaddy's excellent performance as a local government council chairman laid a solid foundation for the political and leadership heights which he has today attained.

At the Imo State House of Assembly, where he represented his Ikeduru State Constituency between 2007 and 2015, Samdaddy brought honour and pride to his constituency and local government. He proved his mettle and was one of the key names who devoted themselves to checkmating certain anti-people policies of the present administration in the state.

As a Senator, Samdaddy has displayed the knack of a serial winner which he obviously is. Despite being a first time senator from the opposition party, it did not take him time to announce himself as a fire brand to Nigeria. It was on account of the enviable quality which he possesses that he was saddled with the responsibility of leading sensitive senate committees. He made history by becoming the first Senator from the opposition party to head a sensitive committee in his first tenure. Samdaddy is the Chairman Senate Committee on Ethics Privileges and Public Petitions; Vice Chairman, Customs, Exercise and Tariff, as well as Vice Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other financial institutions. He is also member of several other committees. It is on record that as of today, Samdaddy ranks among the top 10 most active senators in Nigeria. Notable among his legislative inputs include: the sponsoring of a bill for an Act to Establish South East Development Commission (SEDC) which has passed second reading on the floor of the red chamber; A bill to upgrade Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education to a Federal University of Education; a bill to restructure the NYSC to reflect the imperative need for Nigerian graduates to become productive members of the society by a paradigm shift from the welfare to entrepreneurship, among other important bills.

Back home, in just three years as a Senator, Samdaddy has proven to be what a true representative should be for the people of Owerri senatorial  zone.
He has attracted and he is still attracting several developmental projects to his constituency, even at a time in the nation's history when lawmakers in the opposition party can hardly boast of  achievement to show. He has been widely commended for his special skills acquisition schemes for youths, while he has facilitated federal jobs for hundreds of Imo sons and daughters.

Some of Samdaddy's projects include:

1. The Atta - Amaimo - Obohia, Afor Ogbe road.

2. Ulakwo Junction - Seat of Wisdom Seminary Road.

3. Ring roads in "Area H" New Owerri.

4. Eke Nguru Orie Ihitte road, among others.

5. The Awaka /Ezeogba Emekuku portion of Owerri Umuahia road.

6. The reconstruction of the Nkwerre Street road in Works Layout Owerri Municipal.

7. He has also sunk solar powered boreholes in Arugo Park, Umuokpu Emeabiam, Amakohia Ubi, Ulakwo Enyiogugu, etc.

8. Renovation of School buildings in Nnarambia Ahiara, Egberede Nguru.

9. provision of solar powered Street lights, transformers at Timber Market Naze.

10. Cold rooms at Afor Ajala.

11. Mini Stadium at Amaimo Ikeduru, etc.

Come Sunday 30th September, 2018, Imo PDP delegates will express their desire to return to power by giving their mandate to the man who will not only make their passage to Douglas House easier, but also make a good governor for Imo people, given his unprecedented acceptability, preparedness and sophistication.

Imo Ga Adi Mma Ozo Ma Anyanwu Chaa!                                                 - Lancelot Obiaku is a public affairs analyst.