The leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State cannot pretend about not having grey hair. Thanks to the ceaseless scramble for the party’s governorship ticket for the 2015 election. No fewer than 20 leading members of the party are jostling to pick the ticket. Each of the aspirants parades an intimidating credential. The contenders include former members of the National Assembly, university dons, including former vice chancellors, as well as other professionals.

To underscore the intensity of the horse trading, some of the politicians that reside in Abuja have relocated to Owerri, the state capital. All this is in an attempt by them re-connect with the electorate and to be precise, PDP members as party primaries approach.

Some party buffs claimed that there had been attempts by major stakeholders in the state PDP to prune the number of contenders to a manageable size to no avail. Each of them believes he was confident of winning the party primaries. Nonetheless, a couple of the ‘big’ ones are said to be lobbying other contenders to at least step down as a prelude to forging alliances before the primaries. It was learnt that the more ‘serious’ contenders had even gone as far as promising to pay back all expenses incurred by the other ‘challengers’ for the ticket so far during their campaigns. They claimed the overtures was important so that the PDP does not go into the main election as a divided house against the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).But what are indeed the chances of each of the 20 PDP contestants in view of the prevailing political circumstance in the state? What is their individual pedigree and can those credentials translate into votes for the PDP in 2015? These and many other posers currently agitate the minds of many observers of Imo politics and the generality of the people.

Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN)

He is a legal luminary and used to be legal counsel for General Muhammadu Buhari. He is one of the most respected legal titans in the country. Ahamba is known to have won many cases at the Supreme Court and other courts. He is the first Imo State indigene to become (SAN) and had tried to become governor in 2007.

Senator Ararume

Relatively, his name rings a bell in the state. He contested for the 2007 governorship. Some claim that one of his major challenges is the issue of third term agenda of the Obasanjo administration. It was believed to have worked against his governorship bid seven years ago. But he had fought like a wounded lion and got the PDP ticket at the Supreme Court Abuja after defeating Charles Ugwu whom the party picked as its candidate. Some leaders of the PDP still went ahead to work against him by asking their supporters to vote for the then Peoples Progressives Alliance (PPA) candidate, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

Honourable Ihedioha

He hails from Owerri zone, the only zone that has produced a governor that stayed in office for just 22 months since the creation of Imo State in 1976, in the person of late Chief Evan Enwerem, who later become senate president. But, there are other contestants from the area in the present dispensation. Some believe he has a bright chance if the zone is able to prune the number of contestants before the PDP primaries.

Senator Chris Anyanwu

She comes from Owerri zone. Described by many as a silent achiever, Anyanwu emerged twice as senator by beating all her opponents in the past general elections. However, the game this time is different and might require new strategies because it is the battle for the governorship ticket and not Senate that is limited to a senatorial district.

Chief Ikedi Ohakim

He is the immediate past governor of the State. He is seeking a possible second term, having served a single term in the past. He was succeeded in office by the incumbent governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, of the APC. While some say he has a good chance in the planned PDP primaries, others claim he needs to reji his campaign machinery, especially as it relates to media in order to put him in good stead.

Professor Jude Njoku

The former Vice Chancellor of FUTO and commissioner under the Ohakim administration is credit with taking the university to the next level during his tenure. But, can he repeat such feat if elected the governor of Imo, given its complexities? This is one of the teasers some have raised about his ambition.

Honourable Bethel Amadi

Apart from being a member of the House of Representatives, he is also the president of the African Parliamentary Union (APU). He has stepped up his game by joining others at home to seek the ticket of the party at the PDP primaries.

Chief Charles Onyeagbako

He has toured the 27 local government areas of the state, making an avalanche of promises to the electorate ahead the party primaries. He is a former state commissioner and chairman of Owerri North LGAs.

Chief Jerry Chukwueke

Since he returned to the country from abroad many years ago, he has been contesting for the governorship position. So, some of his critics have come to see him a perennial contender for the post. Will he make this time round? Only time can tell.

Lady Clara Njoku

She is more popular at the grass roots, especially her Local government area. Though she does not go about hammering on primordial sentiments in her bid to secure the PDP ticket, some claim she could have the support of the female folk since men have always governed the state. But, can she boast of the necessary war chest for the epic battle in 2015?

Ken Njemanze (SAN)

He is a former state Attorney general and commissioner for justice and president of the Owerri branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He hails from a royal family, the Njemanze of Owerri.

Chief Benjamin Nzimako

He comes from Owerri zone. His father was a well known politician in the past andwas indeed a strong supporter of the defunct National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), of the leading parties in the country in the First Republic. It was led by the first president of Nigeria, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

Chief Chuka Odum

He is well known in Abia State and Abuja. He was once deputy Chief Staff to a former Governor Orji Uzor Kanu in that state. He is also a former junior minister at the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. His critics claim his main political structure is based in Abuja with his foot soldiers stepping up his game at home.

It is evident that the battle for the PDP ticket is not a tea party. The caliber of the contenders is an indication of what it is actually at stake is high and precious. But, will the existing system throw up the best at the end of the day?