1. Peter Obi:
A multi billion naira business man before joining politics, Peter Obi was a two time Governor of Anambra State on the platform of APGA. He was an honorary economic adviser to the then President Goodluck Jonathan and Chairman of the Stock Exchange Commission. In 2019, he was the vice presidential candidate of the PDP. In 2023, he came third in the Nigeria’s presidential election where he contested on the platform of Labour Party. Majority of Nigerians argue that he won the presidential election conducted on the 25th of February, 2023 as he was the most popular of the candidates with the nationally acclaimed OBIDIENT movement which shook the very foundation of the Nigerian electoral structure. He’s currently in court to challenge the outcome of the poll.
He’s from Agulu, Anaocha LGA of Anambra State.
2. Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim:
From Ishiagu, Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State, Anyim was elected into the Nigerian Senate in 1999 and later became the President of the Senate. He was later appointed Secretary to the Government of the federation by former President Goodluck Jonathan. He’s one of the most influential politicians in the South East.
3. Sen. Orji Uzo Kalu:
OUK as fondly called was a notable business man before his foray into the politics of Nigeria. As of 1999, he was the youngest Governor in Nigeria. He became Governor in his late 30 years of age. He was elected again in 2003 to become Governor of Abia State.
He’s currently the Majority Whip of the Nigerian Senate and a second term Senator elect on the platform of APC. He’s presently contesting the office of Senate President. He’s Igbere, Abia State.
4. Engr David Umahi:
He’s from Uburu, Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State. He’s the outgoing Governor of Ebonyi State. He was Chairman of the governing board of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. He was later elected Chairman of PDP in Ebonyi State. In 2011, he was elected into office as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State. In 2015, he became the Governor of Ebonyi State and was reelected in 2019.
INEC in 2023 declared him as winner of the Ebonyi South senatorial election on the platform of APC in a very controversial circumstance.
He’s one of the frontline contestants of the office of Senate President of Nigeria. His administration is characterized by crass disobedience to court orders, intimidation of members of the opposition, starving of political appointees, non payment of what’s due to civil servants and above gagging of the press with a noticeable record of attacking some media men in Ebonyi State among whom were Nwoba Chika Nwoba, a social media influencer, Charles Otu, Chijioke Agwu of the Daily Sun among others.
5. Sen. Dr Ike Ekweremmadu:
He’s currently in a UK prison custody over a case of kidney transplant with an acclaimed minor for her daughter struck down with kidney failure. He’s said to have taken the child to the UK out of his consent.
Presently in Nigeria, he’s a fifth term Senator on the platform of PDP. He started his political journey as Chairman of Aninri LGA of Enugu State. He was later appointed Secretary to the Enugu State Government by Dr Chimaroke Nnamani who was Governor at the time. In 2003, he was elected into the Senate to represent Enugu West District, a position he is currently serving. He was Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate.
He’s from Mpu, Aninri LGA of Enugu State.
6. Sen. Rochas Okorocha:
Before his foray into the politics of Nigeria, Okorocha was a multimillionaire business mogul in Jos, Plateau State. He was, in his mid 30s appointed as Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo. He later contested for President and came third in the election.
In 2011, he ran a governorship election in Imo State on the platform of APGA and won. He ran again in 2015 and won. In 2019, he won election as Senator to represent the Orlu senatorial zone of Imo State. His reign as Senator has been a controversial one as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested him several times on cases of graft and mismanagement of public funds as Governor of Imo State. He contested the presidential ticket of the APC and lost to Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu. He’s from Ideato North LGA of Imo State.
7. Sen. Dr Sam Egwu:
Sam Egwu irrespective of the fact that he’s not a serving Governor is the most popular politician in Ebonyi State and the only politician whose image represents good governance in the history of the creation of Ebonyi State. He was Commissioner for Education before 1999. He was a University lecturer before joining the politics of Nigeria.
In 1999, he was elected Governor of Ebonyi State and reelected in 2003 on the platform of PDP. On leaving office in 2007, he aspired for the presidential ticket of PDP. He later struggled to become the national chairman of PDP, but lost to Chief Vincent Ogbulafor. Dr Egwu was later appointed Minister of Education by the then President Umar Musa Yar’adua of the blessed memory.
In 2015, he was elected into office as Senator. He was reelected in 2019. He lost a bid to come back for the third time on the platform of PDP.
Dr Sam Egwu is one of the names that ring bell in the South Eastern political landscape. His administration was reputed for being education friendly where he awarded foreign scholarships and free education to Ebonyi citizens. Under him, Ebonyi State University ranked the 8th best public universities in Nigeria. Currently, the university under Umahi is a shadow of its old good days. Egwu is from Umuebe, Izziamgbo, Ohaukwu LGA of Ebonyi State.
8. Sen. Dr Chris Ngige:
One of the popular politicians in the South East of Nigeria is Dr Chris Ngige. He was elected Governor of Anambra State in 2003. Along the line in his administration, he was kidnapped and hidden in a hotel room. The UBAH family was said to be behind the kidnap over his refusal to service the godfatherism pact he had with them as his sponsor. He became a Senator in 2011 on the platform of the defunct ACN.
In 2015, he became Minister of Labour and Productivity. He was reappointed in 2019.
He’s a controversial politician with a history of good performance as Governor of Anambra State. He’s from Alor, Idemmili North LGA of Anambra State.
9. Sen. Andy Uba:
He was Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria under Olusegun Obasanjo. He became Governor of Anambra State for only 14 days in office until court removed him. In 2011, he was elected into office as Senator representing Anambra South District on the platform of PDP. In 2015, he was reelected. He has contested for the office of Governor in Anambra for several times and lost out.
He’s from the Ubah family reputed for the kidnap of Gov. Chris Ngige as he was. The family held the politics of Anambra State to the jugular for a long time playing role as kingmaker. He’s from Uga,
10. Dame Virgie Etiaba:
She became popular as the first female governor in Nigeria. She was elected Deputy Governor of Anambra State with Peter Obi. She later became Governor for few months. She’s from Nnewi, Anambra State.
