The list of Female politicians in Imo State is inexhaustible. Imo State, to begin with, is blessed with what you would call women of timber and caliber. These women are educated, focused, smart, and made of valuable substance.
Compared to how many they are in other fields, the number of Imo women-politicians is painfully low. This is not an Imo problem but perhaps our worry come from the fact that Imo has the capacity and the human resources to lead
Scholar and public affairs commentator, Hadjia Bilikisu Yusuf, once noted that, “Politics is not a mystery too complex for women’s mind to comprehend and the task before women is to demystify politics it.” Below are some of the top women who have demystified politics in Imo state.
Viola Adaku Onwuliri
Viola Onwuliri is a personal friend. She is a woman whose sheer passion and ambition is contagious, she has proven her capacity in various ways in Imo state, Nigeria and the United Nations.
A graduate of Biochemistry University of Nigeria, Howard University Washington, And Harvard school of public health. She is a woman hungry for knowledge.
Consequently, she became the first Nigerian and first African female to be elected member of the Geneva based International AIDS Society (IAS).
She contested the 2011 elections alongside Gov. Ikedi Ohakim as his deputy. When they lost the election, she rejected the role of commissioner given to her by the winner Rochas Okorocha. She was heavily criticized for this and commended as well.
She would go on to serve as the Federal minister of Education and minister of foreign affairs between 2011 to 2015. She was appointed Pro chancellor Maritime university of Nigeria till present. She was appointed commissioner for education by the former governor of Imo state Emeka Ihedioha. When he left office, she resigned. She is one of the most respectable female politicians in Imo state. Some have favored her to aspire for deputy governor position again but she has declared disinterest in any elected position.
The Ahiazu Mbaise born Viola is a beacon of hope for young girls in her hometown.
Senator Chris Anyanwu
The infamous senator Christiana Anyanwu is a dogged politician and journalist. She was imprisoned by Abacha for reporting a failed coup. This earned her public support and international recognition for her bravery.
Senator Christiana Anyanwu a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri and a master’s degree in Mass Communication from Florida State University.
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She owns the radio station Hot 98.3 FM, based in Abuja. Which was established in 2005.
Anyanwu was elected to the Senate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a representative of Owerri Zone, Imo State, Nigeria. As a lawmaker, she sponsored bills on Occupational Health and Safety and to Criminalize and Punish Discrimination and Segregation against Nigerians, and had sponsored seven motions. She is married to Casmir Anyanwu, with whom she has a daughter, Ihuoma, and a son, Nduwueze.
Mrs. Miriam Onuoha
Princess Miriam Odinaka Onuoha is one of the female politicians in Imo state under the All Progressives Congress. She is a member of the House of Representatives of Nigeria from Okigwe North federal constituency.
She won her re-election into the federal house of representatives in January 2020. Her Bachelors degree was at the university of Lagos with a degree in Estate management. She had her masters at the University of Abuja in Environmental Planning and Protection.
She had previously served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on International Development Cooperation amongst other previous political engagements before she was elected into the federal house of representatives Okigwe North federal constituency.
Hon Princess Miriam Onuoha member House of Representatives from Isiala Mbano/Onuimo/Okigwe Federal Constituency, Imo State, on Tuesday introduced and sponsored a bill titled ‘CANNABIS CONTROL BILL 2020’ before the house of Representatives in Abuja.
Her political strength and dogedity is recognized in Imo state. She led her election with 23, 690 votes, to defeat Onwubualiri of PDP who scored 10, 010 votes, and Mr Uchenna Ubah of APGA came 3rd with 263 votes.
Mrs. Uju Onwudiwe
Hon. Uju Onwudiwe with the title Igolo Njaba is a member representing Njaba state constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Owerri.
Her election into office was surrounded by a lot of doubts but she pulled through. She contested under the Action Alliance (AA) in Njaba Constituency.
Hon. Uju was doing well in the private sector. Her debut in the Imo state political scene was as running mate for Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha who was the gubernatorial candidate for Action Congress party in Imo state. The party was unsuccessful but it gave her the leverage to In 2015 to contest for House of Assembly, which she became victorious. She is the first female lawmaker in Njaba constituency. Owing to her good performance she was re-elected in 2019.
She passed the VAPP Bill 2021 (Violence against prohibited persons act) which is yet to pass its second reading. It was said to have stepped on some big toes in Imo state but she did not bait an eyelid because she believes she is doing the right thing.
Ugochi Nnanna Okoro
Lady Ugochi is the foot soldier, a force to reckon with. Her bravery, strong will and determination has earned her the support of so many women who trust her to represent their interest.
Alot of people struggle to describe Lady Ugochi Nnanna Okoro. She is the foremost Honorable commissioner for Community Government Council and Traditional affairs in Imo State; she was an aspirant for the Senate seat Owerri zone. She was also the former PDP women leader in Imo state.
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You cannot speak of female politicians in Imo state without recognizing her. During her term as commissioner she made an impact, same as during her tenure as PDP women leader.
She has had her fair share of controversy- While she was commissioner for pensions Imo state, she was accused of distributing pensions funds at a party rally. This accusation was neither substantial or evidential.
She has also called out APC party leader vocally she got a lot of backlash for it. But Lady Ugochi can be described as untouchable. Hate her all you want, when you need the voting numbers especially from women, she is still your go-to person in Imo state.
She is a barrister and solicitor of the supreme court of Nigeria.
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