11/04/2026
Strategic Stakeholders’ Meeting: Hon. Osita Opara (Itoli of Mbaitoli) Engages Owerri Zone Leaders, Declares Senatorial Ambition
By MacPhilip C Chukwukere
In what can best be described as a convergence of vision, experience, and political destiny, Hon. Osita Opara (Itoli of Mbaitoli) convened a strategic stakeholders’ meeting with critical leaders of Owerri Zone, formally declaring his intention to represent Imo East Senatorial District at the National Assembly. The gathering was rich in symbolism and substance, a forum where leadership met responsibility, and where ambition was framed not as personal pursuit but as a collective mission. Drawing from the timeless philosophy that “leadership is not about titles, but about impact, influence, and inspiration,” Hon. Opara positioned his aspiration as a deliberate response to the urgent need for effective, people-oriented representation. The meeting was not merely an announcement, but a deliberate engagement, an intersection of ideas, experience, and aspiration. With the conviction of a statesman, Hon. Opara framed his ambition within the philosophy that “the essence of leadership is service, and the measure of service is impact.” He emphasized that his bid is anchored on a genuine desire to offer purposeful representation and restore Owerri Zone’s pride of place in the national legislative architecture.
In presenting his credentials, the two-time Executive Chairman of Mbaitoli LGA stood tall as a man prepared for the rigours of governance. He described himself as “most qualified and competent, physically, psychologically, mentally, and academically,” reflecting a rare fusion of intellectual depth and administrative experience. His academic journey is both rich and diverse: from a distinction in his O’Level examinations to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Nigeria Nsukka, a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, a Master’s in Public Administration from the Imo State University, and a Master’s in Project Management from the Rome Business School. These achievements, he noted, are not ornamental but foundational, tools for crafting policies, influencing legislation, and driving development. As it is often said, “education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Beyond academics, Hon. Opara’s political trajectory is deeply rooted in advocacy and regional development. As a committed member of the South East Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Action Committee, he stood among eminent Igbo leaders such as Emeka Ihedioha, Olisa Metuh, Chief Marcellenous Nlemigbo, the late Sen. Amah Iwuagwu, and Chris Ngige, under the leadership of Emeka Offor. The committee played a pivotal role in drawing national attention to the marginalization of Ndi Igbo, culminating in an engagement with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who challenged them to transition from advocacy to active political participation as a pathway to sustainable development. This ideological foundation continues to shape Hon. Opara’s political philosophy, participatory governance as a catalyst for equity and progress.
Many heeded that call, some rising to the House of Representatives like Emeka Ihedioha, others becoming Senators like the late Amah Iwuagwu, and some ascending to governorship positions. Though Hon. Opara’s own aspiration to the House of Representatives was constrained by zoning arrangements within Mbaitoli/Ikeduru, he embraced the enduring maxim that “great leaders are not defined by the opportunities they get, but by how they respond to the ones they miss.”
His resilience translated into impactful service. Appointed Transition Committee Chairman of Mbaitoli LGA by former Governor Achike Udenwa, he was subsequently returned unopposed as Executive Chairman, a rare endorsement of trust and performance. His administrative competence later earned him appointments into the Imo State Tourism Board by Rochas Okorocha, and into the Abuja Investment Company by former President Muhammadu Buhari. These roles, he noted, broadened his governance experience and sharpened his economic and policy perspectives.
At the twilight of his tenure in Mbaitoli, a historic gesture underscored his impact: the 34 traditional rulers (Ezes) of the local government unanimously crowned him Itoli of Mbaitoli, in recognition of his administrative sagacity and rural development strides. This honour, he remarked, is a reminder that “true leadership earns respect, not by position, but by performance.”
Hon. Opara also brought to the fore a deeply emotional and justice-driven narrative, the quest of Mbaitoli to complete its rightful turn in the Senate. He recalled that Mbaitoli once occupied the Imo East Senatorial seat through the late Senator Amah Iwuagwu, whose tenure was tragically cut short by death. The community’s plea to complete that interrupted mandate was denied, leaving a lingering sense of injustice. Today, Mbaitoli stands united in its demand for equity and fair treatment, yearning for a rightful return to the Red Chambers. According to him, “justice delayed may be tolerated, but justice denied provokes history,” and the time has come for Mbaitoli’s voice to be heard again. He affirmed that the leadership and people of Mbaitoli are solidly behind his candidacy as a symbol of that collective aspiration.
Reiterating his unwavering loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Opara stressed his commitment to party discipline, unity, and progress, from the ward level to the state. He called for cohesion among stakeholders, reminding them that “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” and that only through unity can Owerri Zone achieve its political and developmental goals.
The event attracted a formidable array of political leaders and stakeholders, including Chief Lemmy Akakem (Okoataozuoha), Chief W***y Amadi (Ukwa Achi n'aka), and Chief Marcellenous Nlemigbo (Ochiriozuo), alongside zonal party leadership, LGA executives from all nine local government areas, ward chairmen, women organizations, and civil society groups. It was indeed a “who-is-who” gathering, an affirmation of widespread support and a testament to the credibility of his candidacy.
As the meeting concluded, one truth stood clear: Hon. Osita Opara’s ambition is more than a personal pursuit, it is a movement for justice, competence, and inclusive representation. In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “the best way to predict your future is to create it,” and for Owerri Zone, that future may well have begun with this defining engagement.
© Mmiri Ozuzo Mbieri
