By Douglas Princemola
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State and a respected public health advocate, has officially stepped into the political spotlight with a clear declaration of her ambition to represent Imo East Owerri Zone in the Senate come 2027. Speaking confidently in Owerri, she made it clear that her decision is not driven by personal gain or political convenience, but by a deep rooted passion to serve her people and uplift her constituency through purposeful leadership.
Running under the Labour Party Nigeria LP, she positioned her candidacy as a shift from conventional politics, promising a leadership style that listens, includes, and delivers. With calm authority and conviction, she described herself as a woman of experience, resilience, and focus, qualities she believes are essential for effective representation at the national level. Her message carried a distinct tone that this is not politics as usual, but a movement toward people centered governance.
Fondly known as Ada Owerri, a title that reflects her cultural roots and connection to the people, Anyanwu-Akeredolu painted a vision of leadership that leaves no one behind. She spoke about unity and collaboration, stressing the need to bridge gaps between the National Assembly, the Imo State House of Assembly, and local government structures. According to her, real progress happens when all tiers of government work hand in hand, translating policies into tangible improvements in everyday lives, especially at the grassroots.
A major highlight of her declaration was her stance on healthcare reform, an area where her voice carries both expertise and urgency. She drew attention to the rise in breast cancer cases, particularly among women, and the reality that many lives are lost due to limited access to quality care. Her words struck a chord as she called for deliberate government intervention, noting that healthcare, especially cancer care, should not be a privilege but a right. She pledged to champion policies that will ensure free and accessible screening, early detection, treatment, and sustained awareness campaigns across Owerri Zone, with a special focus on rural and underserved communities.
While acknowledging the efforts of the Imo State Government under Hope Uzodimma, including initiatives like IMSHIA and ImoCare, she pointed out that more needs to be done. She called for an expansion of these programmes to cover more serious health conditions and to reach those who need them most. Her tone was constructive, recognizing progress while pushing for greater impact.
Beyond healthcare, Anyanwu-Akeredolu used the moment to support the inclusion of women in leadership. She challenged long standing societal norms that limit womens participation in governance, stating that competence, vision, and dedication, not gender, should define leadership. Her candidacy stands as a statement of possibility and empowerment for women across the region.
She also aligned herself with the call for equity and fairness in Imo State politics, particularly the aspiration for Owerri Zone to produce the next governor. However, she maintained that such goals must be pursued through democratic, peaceful, and lawful means, reflecting her belief in unity and due process.
In all, her declaration was more than just an announcement, it was a statement of intent, a call to action, and a promise of a different kind of leadership. As the 2027 elections draw closer, her entry into the race is already generating conversation, setting the tone for what could become a defining political contest in Owerri Zone.
