[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he political battle between these brothers can be compared to that of biblical Goliath and David. The three Uba brothers – Ugochukwu, Andy and Chris from Uga in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. Ugochukwu is the eldest while Chris is the youngest. Of the same parents, the brothers are Politicians and each accomplished in his own right. They are very rich, two of them, Andy and Chris are Billionaires, they have limitless contacts.
In 1999, When Nigeria returned to Civil Democracy, the Uba family which was little known suddenly emerged, not only an important family in the political circle but perhaps one of the most powerful in the South east zone. In 2003, the eldest of the trio, Ugochukwu Uba was elected as Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), In the same vein, Andy Uba who just returned from the United States (US) was appointed as the Special Assistant on Special Duties and Domestic Affairs to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The youngest of the trio, Chris is a businessman and a Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he is the self acclaimed godfather of Anambra Politics, Chris never held any political office but he directed the system to deliver a Governor, All National Assembly seats in the Senate and House of Representatives as well as all members of the State House of Assembly.
Senator Andy Uba.
Shortly before the 2007 elections, the Uba brothers allegedly reached an agreement to leave the elder brother (Ugochukwu) at the Senate, while Andy occupied the Governorship seat. As planned, Andy contested and won the 2007 Gubernatorial Election in the State and was sworn-in as Governor. However, his main opponent, Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) challenged his victory at the Tribunal, after much deliberation, the Supreme Court sacked Andy as Governor. The sack earned him the crown of the Nigeria’s shortest serving Governor, he was a Governor for only 16days (May 29, 2007 – June 14, 2007). Andy, after being sacked as Governor, he set his eyes on his brother (Ugochukwu) Senatorial Seat. Apparently, being richer, more powerful and more influential than his brother, it was easy for Andy to sweep him out of office.
Chris Uba.
In 2011, Andy became the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), but in doing that, he allegedly breached a family agreement. This angered his younger brother, Chris Uba who wields plenty of influence in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as a political godfather. However, in 2014, the Uba family unanimously agreed that Andy should vacate the Senate seat for his younger brother (Chris) while he (Andy) should contest for the Governorship election. But after losing out at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Primaries, Andy breached the family agreement and insisted on vying for the Senate seat in 2015. Chris Uba made a number of efforts to replace his brother (Andy) with other people, but he failed, he bad-mouthed his brother at any given opportunity. In 2015, he pitched tent with Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, the Senatorial Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who came second in the result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At last, Andy won. In 2017, Andy dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) where he made another unsuccessful attempt to become the number one citizen of the state, he lost to Dr. Tony Nwoye at the 2017 All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship primaries.
Chris Uba, a prominent kingmaker decided to be the king in 2019, he became the Anambra South Senatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in a related development, Andy won the Anambra South Senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). There were other challengers, notably the Capital Oil Boss, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah (who is the Incumbent Senator) of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), both money men, but not in the class of Andy and Chris Uba.
Eventually, Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) polled 87,081 votes to defeat the two brothers, Andy and Chris Uba who scored 13,245 and 52,462 votes respectively.
The incumbent Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, compared to Andy and Chris Uba is a political novice but he is a smart and street wise Businesman. He undoubtedly enjoys the goodwill of the people due to his philanthropic activities.