By Patrick Mgbaja
A renowned pilanthropist and Labour Party political apex leader in Owerri Zone (Imo East Senatorial District), Sir Basil Maduka has emerged as the Labour Party candidate for the Owerri Zone Senate seat in the upcoming 2027 election.
Maduka was elected without opposition as no other candidate contested against him. His emergence was announced by the Electoral Committee from Abuja at the Labour Party State Secretariat in Owerri, the Imo State capital, at the weekend.
His emergence has been positively acknowledged by party members, who are pleased with his candidacy. Shortly after his victory was declared, Maduka expressed happiness and emphasized the natural growth of the Labour Party. He stated that it is now the turn of his constituency, Ezinihitte/Ahiazu Mbaise to produce the next Senator for Owerri zone, which, according to him, has not occupied the seat in the past 27 years. “We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”
In a chat with journalists, the visibly elated Maduka who stated that his election coincided with his twenty-seventh marriage anniversary, listed the four federal constituencies that make up the Owerri zone as Owerri Municipal Council/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency; Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency; Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency; Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency. According to him, all others have had had their turns except Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency. He assured that he is eminently qualified and ready to occupy the coveted seat in the Red Chamber, if given the mandate.
On his political antecedents, he said, “So far, I’ve been a grassroots politician. I’ve organized empowerment programmes. I established Basil Maduka Movement and the Basil Maduka Organization. I’ve used these platforms for the past three or four years to touch people’s lives across the twenty-seven Local Government Areas of the state and empowered people in the 305 electoral wards. I help women from most of the component communities with uniforms during annual August meetings. It is Basil Maduka, I’ve catered for their personal needs in Imo State. Therefore, I think, I’ve done so well.
Continuing, he said, “Look at Imo State, Imo East, that’s Owerri zone! Look at the number of unemployed graduates! My target is how to sort out these people, how do I use my office as a Senator to empower my people, to help them create wealth and represent them effectively. How to be their voice? That’s why I’m going to the Senate.”
He described the Labour Party as a people-oriented political platform, a movement, in which he will be the servant of his constituents.
I will be the servant of the entire nine local government councils. I will be accessible to them any time they come they will see me,” he stated.
It could be noted that in 2023, Maduka, a Knight of the Church, contested the Owerri zone Senate seat on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Regarded as a “beautiful bride” he was prepositioned to vie for governorship in the Labour Party after his Senate seat aspiration debacle.
Reputed for his philanthropic disposition, Maduka, is the Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Group, an Oil and Gas conglomerate based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He has reportedly touched the lives of his people, and others’ across the twenty-seven local government areas of the state and three hundred and five (305) wards of Imo State, in skill acquisition/empowerment programmes, scholarships, free medical outreaches, among others.
