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Chief Uche Benmark Osuigwe, proudly bearing the revered chieftaincy title Agu-udo Obibiezena of the Obibiezena Ancient Kingdom in Owerri, Imo State, is a distinguished figure whose influence transcends borders. An Owerri-born British businessman, philanthropist, and dedicated mental health advocate in England and Wales, Chief Osuigwe embodies a lifetime of leadership, service, and commitment to community upliftment. His contributions resonate deeply among Ndi Imo both at home and in the diaspora.
A devoted husband and father of three, Chief Osuigwe’s journey from the cultural heart of Owerri to the global stage is a testament to resilience and purpose. His expansive public service record is as impressive as it is impactful. As a former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, and currently serving as Chairman and Coordinator of the Imo Network General UK (ING), he has championed the welfare and unity of Ndi Igbo, advocating tirelessly for progress and inclusion.
In his role as Political Advisory Chief of the Owerri Zonal Association UK and Chairman of the PDP Southeast Zone UK Chapter, Chief Osuigwe continues to shape political discourse with strategic foresight and dedication. His position as Secretary General of the Owerri Council of Chiefs and Nzes (OCCN-UK) reflects his unwavering commitment to preserving cultural heritage while bridging tradition with modern governance. His chieftaincy title, Agu-udo Obibiezena, meaning “The Peaceful Lion of Obibiezena,” symbolizes his strength, wisdom, and unyielding dedication to his people.
In this exclusive interview with The Eastern Updates, Chief Osuigwe offers deep insights into the 2027 Imo gubernatorial race, where Governor Hope Uzodinma has pledged to hand over power to an Owerri indigene. With his finger on the pulse of both local and diaspora perspectives, he critically assesses Imo’s socio-economic struggles under Uzodinma’s administration and articulates his vision for a future rooted in equity, sustainability, and effective leadership.
This conversation delves beyond politics, exploring the transformational leadership needed to steer Imo State toward a brighter future. Chief Osuigwe’s wisdom and passion shine through, offering a rallying call for leaders and citizens to rise to the challenge of building an Imo State that thrives for generations to come.
On the Imo State Gubernatorial Race in 2027
As a prominent Owerri-born leader and philanthropist, how do you perceive Governor Hope Uzodinma’s promise to hand over power to an Owerri indigene in 2027? Do you see this as a genuine opportunity for equitable governance or a political strategy?
Chief Osigwe: Governor Hope Uzodimma’s promise to hand over power to an Owerri indigene is a statement made by a human being, not from God; thus, there is a possibility of a different outcome when the time comes. However, as an Owerri man, that is not my wish. I must point out something fundamental: in the history of Imo State since its creation, no governor has successfully anointed or played a decisive role in selecting their successor. Chief Sam Mbakwe anointed Chief Evan Enwerem, but Enwerem did not anoint Chief Achike Udenwa. Udenwa, despite presenting six names to then-President Obasanjo, did not include Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who eventually succeeded him. Ohakim did not anoint Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Okorocha did not anoint Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, and Ihedioha did not anoint Senator Hope Uzodimma. All of this is history that happened before us.
In fact, I addressed this during a political lecture I delivered in 2017 at Concord Hotel, Owerri, during the inauguration of ING and a lecture series on good governance in Imo State. This was at a time when then-Governor Rochas Okorocha had concluded plans to install Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, as his successor. As a student of history, I am a little worried. However, I urge Owerri people to ignore this history, pursue this dream, and actualize it by any means possible. We must take advantage of this opportunity to get an Owerri indigene into the office of the governor of Imo State.
Given your extensive engagement with the Imo diaspora and your role in community leadership, what qualities do you believe an Owerri-born governor should possess to effectively address the challenges facing Imo State?
Chief Osigwe: Things have gone awry for quite a long time now, and it is time for an Owerri-born individual to become governor and address the challenges. The person must be a man of integrity, conscience, and vision, with a clear blueprint for governance, not an opportunist shouting “It’s our turn.” In Yoruba, they say “emilokan,” and we have seen where emilokan has brought Nigeria today.
The person I am talking about must not be one of these “stomach infrastructure” individuals. They must possess outstanding qualities, be business-oriented, and have people-oriented programs. The individual must be disciplined, with a good track record, and must understand the primary responsibility of government—ensuring the security of lives and property—before even coming out to contest. We are tired of hoaxes and pseudo-leadership in public offices.
This person must demonstrate preparedness for governance by presenting their agenda, developed in their study room, along with a team of competent technocrats, rather than relying solely on party manifestos. In my view, every aspirant should show the press their personal agenda as a sign of their readiness. Let us do something a little bit different this time.
As someone with experience advising political groups, how do you think the Owerri zone can strategically position itself to ensure it produces the next governor without internal or external resistance?
Chief Osigwe: To be honest, power rotation is supposed to unite zones, especially in a fragmented state like Imo. An Igbo adage says, “Emee nwata ka esi mee ibeya, nsogbu agaghi di” (Treat one child as you treat another, and there will be no trouble). Every reasonable person understands that equity and fairness are the foundations of unity. Unfairness, marginalization, injustice, and cheating breed disunity; disunity fosters hate and animosity; hate and animosity lead to conflict; conflict results in destruction, poverty, and loss of lives.
All well-meaning people of Imo State origin living here in the UK advocate for an Owerri-born governor because they understand that governance is not about stealing the money and resources belonging to the state—it is about fairness. Those who oppose this idea are often people without proven means of livelihood, hovering around offices to steal or lie for crumbs.
Ideally, rotating power to Owerri should bring unity, foster the pooling of ideas and resources, and drive Imo State forward. After all, other positions of service will be distributed to informed and deserving Imolites across other geopolitical zones
Owerri zone can achieve this perfectly by coming together as one people, singing from the same hymnbook, and believing that progress for one is progress for all, while any gang-up against one is a gang-up against all. Selfishness must be removed, and we must separate political gladiators from serious-minded people with genuine intentions and agendas. Owerri people should register with all major political parties in Nigeria, spread across these parties, and take serious positions within them.
We must reach out to and build relationships with the chairmen, leaders, and bigwigs of these parties, making our intentions known—highlighting the history of governance in the state, the need for it to be given to Owerri, what Owerri people will offer to move the state forward, and the dangers of not zoning the governorship to Owerri. This must go beyond social media ranting; visible plans must be put in place.
We need to reach out to the President and his inner circle, as well as traditional, religious, and political leaders from other zones, presenting our case and negotiating. Politics is negotiation and compromise, so we must make them see reasons with us and understand that Owerri has been a good host to everyone, both in government and among ordinary citizens, and it is now time for us to produce the next governor.
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We must also consider the power of money in politics, recognizing that Africa is a third-world continent and Nigeria is a part of it, where money plays a significant role in elections. Our people are still uninformed and crude in many ways, so this reality cannot be ignored. We need to identify distractors—those occupying space pretending to contest elections but are only there to sell out for money.
We need people who believe in the slogan: “I WAS OWERRI MAN BEFORE I BECAME IMOLITE”—people who prioritize the Owerri agenda first and are loyal to Owerri before their party. This unity will strengthen our resistance to external forces.
You’ve been an advocate for mental health and social welfare. How would you advise future leaders of Imo State to incorporate these often-neglected areas into the political agenda, especially with the increasing socio-economic struggles?
Our people’s mental health has deteriorated drastically. People are suffering even in the Western world where there is help and government support, so think of Nigeria and its economic situation—constant fear, anxiety, insecurity, lack of food, and hopelessness. While awareness exists, the government is unwilling to take the necessary steps. For any responsible government to address the plight, predicament, and needs of the people, it must have accurate data and statistics on its citizens.
Nature has provided basic facilities we can use. Every community in Igbo land has a marketplace, which falls into one of the traditional market days: EKE, ORIE, AFO, or NKWO. These market squares are the centers of the communities and can serve as strategic points for government initiatives. The government can use these locations to establish community policing, postal agencies, and registration centers. Each of these centers can function as a community liaison office to register births, deaths, and residences, creating a direct connection between the state government and the community. This would mark the starting point for social welfare programs and provide the much-needed data for effective governance.
These initiatives would not only create jobs but also ensure the presence of government across the state, allowing people to communicate their issues directly to their leaders and benefit from democracy. Mental health and welfare, long neglected, must be incorporated into the government’s agenda and consistently budgeted for, as part of a responsible government’s duty to care for its people, just as it is done in other countries around the world.
There are capable hands of Imo State origin in the diaspora who are willing to contribute to these efforts and help move the state forward. By tapping into these resources and implementing innovative strategies, the government can address these pressing issues effectively.
On Governor Uzodinma’s Administration and Imo’s Current Struggles
What is your honest assessment of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s tenure so far? What do you believe are the root causes of Imo State’s current struggles under his administration, and what specific areas require immediate attention?
To be honest, I have not spent much time in the state since Gov. Hope Uzodinma took over in January 2020. The sudden turn and shift of events in the state after the inauguration of Emeka Ihedioha, which I attended, shocked and surprised me deeply, so my assessment may not be entirely accurate. From the information I have gathered, the people’s expectations have not been met, and instead, problems are developing daily on an industrial scale. For instance, I heard about the promise to sponsor four thousand Imolites to Europe, but as one of the leaders of Ndigbo in the UK, I have not seen even a quarter of that promise actualized.
There are two possible root causes of the state’s current struggles under this administration: either the people still do not accept and believe in the government, or the government has not been honest with the people. Senator Hope Uzodinma is the governor and must be supported by Imolites for progress to be made. As far as I know, he had a clear, undisputed victory in the last election, so there should be no divide between the government and the people.
The government’s immediate attention should be directed toward addressing insecurity in the state and boosting food production. Farmlands are occupied by attackers, bandits, and kidnappers, and it is the government’s responsibility to intervene and remove them to restore safety and productivity.
Many Imo citizens, particularly those in the diaspora, express concern about governance in the state. From your perspective, what immediate and long-term solutions should be prioritized to restore hope and stability to the people of Imo State?
You are right; Imo citizens in the diaspora, particularly in the UK, are deeply worried. The state government must urgently address the pandemic of “INSECURITY” in the state. Insecurity is killing people, driving away investments, halting food production, stifling progressive ideas, crippling the economy, and destroying the state. Progressive ideas attract investments, investments create jobs, jobs create wealth, and wealth drives away poverty and criminality.
I implore the government to prioritize road creation, road repair, and power supply as immediate measures. These are crucial steps to stabilize and drive the state’s economy. By addressing these issues, Gov. Uzodinma will lay the foundation for a safer, more prosperous, and thriving Imo State.
Finally, Chief Osuigwe, we deeply appreciate you taking the time to share your invaluable insights with us. Is there any final message you would like to convey to the people of Imo State, both at home and in the diaspora, as they prepare for this pivotal moment in their political history?
My message to the people of Imo State, both at home and in the diaspora, is to see Imo State as our first constituency. We should accept and support the government of Gov. Uzodinma for the good of all Imolites. Administrations will come and go, but Imo State will remain ours, and we have no other state but Imo.
The government must show love and responsibility to the people, be accountable, and act in their best interest. Likewise, the people should be law-abiding and responsible. Every Imolite, both home and abroad, all residents of Imo State, friends of Imo, and good ambassadors of this world should support Owerri people to produce the next governor of Imo State come 2027. It is the fair thing to do; it represents equity and justice.
I want to use this medium to emphasize that Nde Owere are ready to take leadership (governorship) of Imo State come 2027. Allowing Owerri to produce the next governor will bring lasting peace, stability, improvement, prosperity, and genuine investments to the state.
