Meet the AMTY 2025 MOST INSPIRING POLITICAL LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT, Chief Ugochukwu Ifeadigo Okeke, (Enyioha) who hails from Uzoakwa in Ihiala community, Ihiala Local Government area. A philantropist and member of, the Board of Trustees, People’s Democratic Party. In an exclusive interview with News Echo’s correspondent, Uchenna Ezeadigwe, delves into his political journey and he believes made him worthy of the award, Excerpts:
*You were found worthy by AMTY hence your nomination for the Most Inspiring Political Leader of the Year award, what do you think made you most appropriate for this award?*
Like I told the organisers of the award, I don’t know what I did most to deserve the award. I’m a people-oriented person, a grassroots man, a man who believes that leadership should transcend oneself down to those who are at the grassroots level. I’m a man who believes in the analogy, interpretation and understanding of the pyramid’s structure. For those of us who found ourselves at the top, we must continue to ensure that what we have trickles down to the bottom to sustain the top.
I think in my quest to do that, the people I have encountered and those around me who have benefited immensely, contributed to finding me worthy of this award and I appreciate that. I am a philanthropist, and I happily put smiles on people’s faces.
Today, I am being bestowed with the award of the Most Inspiring Political Leader of the Year, it means a lot to me and it demands that I continue to do better.
*Can you brief us about your political career and what next?*
I ran for governor in 2013/14 and Senator Tony Nwoye won the primaries. I worked well with him because I believe in the party and if there is no party there will not be any political structure. After that I have held positions like the PDP State Secretary, a played roles in the party at the national and state campaign council levels, I’ve been in various committees that undertook assignments for PDP in so many states as well, and a former ministerial nominee on the platform of the party. So when people like Dr. Alex Obiogbolu left, I still stayed behind to take charge and help give leadership and direction to the party, but the current party crises overwhelmed most of our efforts.
Then I was found worthy to be appointed as a member Board of Trustees, PDP from Anambra State chapter. Which for me is one of the highest one can achieve in a party. It is also noteworthy that the person I’m replacing as BOT member, is my father and mentor, a man I have worked for and believed in, a man who has helped the party in many ramifications, a former minister and a complete gentleman, Professor ABC Nwosu. It is indeed my responsibility to fill his very big shoes. I have given in a little and I will continue to strive to do more for the party.
*Anambra State Senatorial Zone has a vacant seat, what is PDP doing to ensure that the party fields a credible candidate?*
Our party has been bedevilled with alot of crisis which has affected its progress and it’s ability to select or pick a candidate. The current rancour at the centre has affected the candidature of Anambra State south senatorial zone. So for me, we we will wait and see, however as a member of BOT nobody has come to inform me of his or her decision to contest for the position. At the Governorship level, someone has stepped forward and bought the party nomination form, but as far as I am concerned this is not the caliber of person that I believe can run the party’s Governorship election. However, he has found faith in PDP and we will watch him, support him and see how far he can get. Sincerely, the state executives will have to plan out actionable strategies that will get the party on the right track. Though I work at the national level, I believe the chairman and his excos will work hard to deliver and they have our support.
*As a Chieftain in PDP, what suggestions would you proffer on the crisis affecting the party?*
We must call a spade a spade. Our former presidential candidate, His Excellency Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has not left much to be desired on certain ways he has handled his leadership role in the party, our own former leader who I don’t understand what is happening to him, His Excellency Nyesom Wike is also a problem to the party and I believe that the way forward is to come together in all sincerity, consider the different perspectives of all the factions of the party and find workable solutions that will make PDP a stronger, better and more proactive party.
*Finally, who are you dedicating the award to?*
I dedicate the award to all those who have shown selfless support to people, who have committed their resources to the wellbeing of our society, upholding good governance and critical development in various communities. While thanking the management of AMTY for their doggedness and creativity in awarding worthy members of the society. Over the years AMTY has grown to become a very prestigious award among our people and to be recognized by them is an honor.
