Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, former First Lady of Ondo State and wife of the late Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has officially declared her intention to contest for the Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone) seat in the 2027 elections.
The announcement was made on 29th January 2026 during the inauguration of the Obidients Movement in Owerri Municipal Local Government Area. Speaking to supporters, Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu also reaffirmed her unshakable support for the presidential ambition of Mr. Peter Obi, declaring emphatically that for the 2027 elections, it is “Peter Obi or Nothing.”
The former First Lady, who previously sought the senatorial ticket under the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized her motivation to run again: “Owerri Zone deserves leadership that delivers tangible results.”
In her speech, she said:
“I proudly declare that I am Obidient. I stand firmly on Obi or Nothing — not as a slogan, but as an affirmation of values. The Obidients phenomenon has become both an enigma to Nigeria and a challenge to politicians who wish to preserve the status quo — a system marked by poor infrastructure, food insecurity, abuse of office, human rights violations, insecurity, corruption, impunity, and widespread hardship. Peter Obi represents the leadership Nigeria urgently needs, anchored on the 3 Cs: Character, Competence, and Capacity.”
Dr. Anyanwu-Akeredolu highlighted Obi’s insistence on a single tenure as president, praising it as a bold step toward meaningful change in four years. She expressed her belief that his leadership could reshape the aspirations of young Nigerians, replacing the “japa syndrome” with a commitment to rebuilding the nation.
Introducing herself to the audience, she said:
“I am Dr. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu (Ada Owere 1) — proud daughter of Chief B. U. B. Anyanwu (late) and Nneoma Dora Anyanwu (late) of Emeabiam, Owerri West LGA. I am a retired public servant, development advocate, entrepreneur, and politician. Owerri Zone deserves leadership that delivers tangible results. I bring over four decades of practical experience spanning advocacy, enterprise, philanthropy, and policy — combining grassroots engagement with evidence-based solutions. I now seek to take this solutions-driven experience to the Senate — to represent Owerri Zone with integrity, impact, and people-centered leadership.”
She concluded her declaration with a call to collective action:
“Together, let us build a new Owerri zone. Together, let us build a new Imo. Together, let us build a new Nigeria.”
