She is not loud. She is not proud. She is not arrogant. She is not a regular in public circle even while her husband was alive....yet, she is very powerful as far as Anambra politics is concern at least in the last 16 years....and still counting...
She was there when All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was established by her Late husband, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu. The party has produced two governors in the last 16 years.
She was actively involved in the emergence of Peter Obi and Willie Obiano respectively. When the existence of the party (APGA) was threatened by the cold war between Obi and his successor Obiano, she and few other stalwarts like Senator Victor Umeh ensured that the party survived the scare.
Each time Anambra prepares for election, her home becomes a political Mecca of some sort. Politicians besiege her, seeking her anointing and support. Yes, she is that powerful.
"Ignore her at your own peril," a top politician once told this writer. "Those who have ignored her are still licking their political wounds and nursing their injuries", my source added.
She remains a force to be reckoned with in Anambra politics. This Yuletide season she has been roundly consulted as many are still seeking her face, attention and support ahead of the governorship election.
She is glued to APGA. This means she will support an APGA candidate to succeed Obiano. The party like others will seek to present a suitable candidate during it's primary.
This task involves her as a party faithful and chieftain just like other heavyweights which includes Gov. Obiano and Senator Umeh among others across board.
Many say, whoever She endorses, naturally picks the party's ticket and ultimately becomes the next governor. They say she has been involved in this process which ushered in Obi and Obiano.
So, who is Lady Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu going to support as Anambra goes to the poll in 2021? Again, the warning.... IGNORE HER AT YOUR PERIL.
We keep our fingers crossed. Sure, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Peoples Party (YPP) will traditionally attempt to grab power from the governing APGA which has been in power in Anambra for 16 years...but they will have to contend with the powers and influence of Bianca Ojukwu.
This does not suggest that it will be a smooth sail for APGA candidate in the coming election. It's going to be a fierce battle but it depends on the relationship among the chieftains of APGA which has gone frosty over time.
Obiano who is the party's leader as things stand will have to mend fences with aggrieved chieftains of the party and bring them together under one fold to ensure that APGA remains stronger and united ahead of the election.
Conflicts within APGA top hierarchy will serve as a huge advantage which the three other major opposition parties will cash on to grab power. This, the former Ambassador to Spain, Lady Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu will stoutly resist.
Mr Desmond Ekwueme is a renowned Nigerian journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria.
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