By Tony Okafor, Awka
A top Anambra State politician, Maduka Ndibe, popularly known as Onyegbankiti, Enugwu Agidi, has described Senator Victor Umeh as “the Igbo voice of our time”, urging the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District to return him to the Senate in the 2027 general election.
Ndibe, who spoke in Enugwu Agidi, Anambra State, said Umeh’s current representation in the Senate went beyond constituency matters, arguing that the senator had emerged as an important voice for the South-East at the national level.
According to him, every generation of Ndigbo produces a few political figures whose influence extends beyond their immediate constituencies to issues of national significance.
He said Umeh belonged to that category, describing him as a politician who had combined experience, strategic engagement and advocacy for the interests of the South-East in the National Assembly.
“Senator Victor Umeh is that voice for our time,” Ndibe said.
He compared Umeh’s role in the Senate to that of the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo, whom he described as a politician who brought intellect, courage and a clear Igbo agenda to national politics.
Ndibe argued that Umeh had filled part of the leadership gap created by the absence of figures such as Okadigbo from the Senate.
He said Umeh had been consistent in raising issues concerning federal infrastructure, trade routes, youth enterprise, security and the broader place of the South-East in the affairs of the country.
“On issues of federal roads, trade routes that affect Onitsha and Nnewi, youth enterprise, and the proper place of Ndigbo in the national security architecture, he has been consistent and visible,” he said.
Ndibe further argued that the next Senate would require experienced lawmakers capable of negotiating effectively on issues including budgetary priorities, constitutional amendments and economic reforms.
He therefore urged voters in Anambra Central to consider experience and continuity in choosing their representative.
“The 11th Senate will be about difficult negotiations: budget priorities, constitutional review, economic reforms, and how regions get a fair share,” he said.
“Anambra Central needs a ranking, tested hand in that room, not a freshman learning the ropes.”
Ndibe maintained that Umeh’s experience and existing relationships within the Senate would give him an advantage in advancing the interests of the constituency and the South-East.
He said the call for Umeh’s return was not merely about partisan politics but about ensuring continuity in representation and preserving what he described as an effective voice for the people.
“This is not about party slogans. It is about continuity, about protecting our voice, and about honouring the standard Okadigbo set,” he said.
He consequently appealed to voters in Anambra Central to return Umeh to the Senate, describing him as “Ohamadike Ndigbo” and urging the electorate to “send back experience and strategy” in the 2027 election.
