By Andy Emephia
As political activities rev up ahead of the 2023 general elections, one race that will ignite passions in Delta State is that for the Delta North Senatorial District.
The current occupier of the position is Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi, who rode to victory on the platform of the PDP, after a controversial primary that saw his closest contender, Hon (Dr) Prince Ned Nwoko, placed second in the contest.
Nwaoboshi has since decamped to the APC, thus bringing in its trail, a host of diatribes that leaves bitter memories of regrets from the party under whose ticket he rode to the red chambers of the National Assembly.
The dramatis personae in this well-orchestrated game of betrayal and outright fraud meted on Hon (Dr) Prince Ned Nwoko, have since realized their folly in being part of the grand conspiracy that aided his (Nwoko’s) “too close for comfort” loss to Nwaoboshi, but all that is now history.
When the news filtered in, penultimate week, that a group of like minds roaring for Ned, had stormed Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Abuja, to purchase the mandatory EXPRESSION OF interest AND NOMINATION FORMS, for the Anioma born doyen of the Paris club refunds that bailed Nigeria and the states out of recession, not a few heaved a sigh of relief, to wit, that the palpable air of suspense surrounding whether Ned will seek Anioma’s mandate to represent them, had been doused in relief.
The group, under the banner of Ned Nwoko Political Family/Campaign organization, was unanimous and clear that their Principal deserved to be supported to represent Delta North SENATORIAL district at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the 2023 National Assembly elections.
And why not Ned? As a dedicated party man, Ned never lost faith or rebelled against anyone who was remotely or directly linked to his painful loss orchestrated by clear gang-ups during the 2019 SENATORIAL primaries at the Cenotaph, Asaba. Instead, he, like the man of large heart, moved on, with all might, mirth, main, and muscle, to remain loyal and committed to supporting his party in all its activities.
Ned’s resume is at once intimidating as it is enviable. One of the few lucky Nigerians to have the best form of Education: First Degree in law and history at the prestigious University of Keele England, master’s in law at Kings College, University of London. Barrister at Law of Lincoln’s Inn, solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales, honorary doctorates at Commonwealth University and Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Ugbomro in Uvwie Local Government of Delta State amongst others. Was named philanthropist of the year by a leading national newspaper, Leadership.
As Vice Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council that oversaw the activities leading to the re-election of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2019, it is on record that he deployed his funds, running into “billions of his hard-earned money” to mobilize various support groups, ranging from the entertainment industry, artisans, labour unions and influential individuals, among other numerous groups, to rally support for Governor Okowa’s reelection bid.
The Chancellor of the FIRST sports University in the entire Sub Saharan African continent, also behind the scenes, as characteristic of him, provided huge funds to alleviate the challenges of hundreds who daily troop into his country home at ldumuje Ugboko, in Aniocha North local government area. It is a known fact that his home is a Mecca of sorts open to the high and low in society without any tribal or social discrimination.
This Maverick and urbane lawyer, businessman, philanthropist, and political enigma whose stint as the federal lawmaker representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency, witnessed landmarks such as the Benin Onitsha expressway, the current police headquarters in Asaba, minimum wage largesse for workers, among other initiatives too numerous to mention, proves Ned to be a man with a broad outlook who looks out for the welfare of the common man on the streets.
Ned’s passion for the eradication of malaria took him to Antarctica, the coldest continent in the world, where he became the FIRST black African to hoist our green white green flag and the 13th country to have a presence in the South Pole.
Not only has he committed hundreds of thousands of dollars for research-based activities, but he has also taken the campaign to the relevant stakeholders such as the federal ministry of health, the World Health Organization, and also the National Assembly where he hopes enabling laws will be passed to create a separate agency for dealing with malaria-related issues.
And finally, as a man whose sources of income hold no secrecy or controversy, he has never been a guest of any anti-graft agency or been linked to any fraudulent activity that will bring disrepute to Anioma. So far, he has become the role model, the hope for the despondent, with his large-hearted and global disposition to issues. Indeed he is one of Anioma’s finest, a rare breed of blue blood and empathy.
Prince Ned is one of the richest in Africa. According to Google, he is reputed to be worth over $1.2b. He is not going to NASS to look for money. We know that he has already pledged his salaries and allowances towards scholarships. He will adequately represent delta and Nigeria and indeed the black race.
A multidimensional personality, Hon Prince (Dr) Chinedum Munir Nwoko (Ned), is a global explorer, a tourism promoter, a connoisseur of arts and culture, an avid reader and a doting father, husband, brother, and lots more.
It is on record that his Mount Ned Nwoko tourist resort which boasts of landmarks such as an Ogbunike cave-like underground tunnel, exotic plants such as the Cedar and fig trees, exotic animals and pristine furniture, also boasts of a 100 feet tower, which is the second-highest point in the southern part of Nigeria, after the Obudu Cattle ranch in Cross River State.
So, as the primary elections to determine who will represent Delta North at the red Chambers draw near, one man whose pedigree and ability to attract development and restore Anioma to her rightful pride of place is Hon (Dr) Prince Chinedum (Ned) Nwoko. He is Primus inter pares and deserves to be supported. Anioma will be better for it.
Dear people of Anioma, behold your son, Hon Dr Prince Chinedum Munir Nwoko, Ned for short. He is needed. Indeed, he is.
Anioma kwenu!
