OWERRI, NIGERIA – Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, has officially defected to the Labour Party (LP) to pursue a senatorial seat in her home state of Imo. The move marks a major shift for the widow of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is now pivoting her political base from the South-West to the South-East.
Confirming the development in a social media post on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Mrs. Akeredolu revealed that she has already integrated into the party’s structures in Imo. She recently attended a heavily crowded National Executive Council (NEC) and stakeholders meeting in Abuja, which she described as a clear sign of the party’s growing momentum.
Her decision to run for the Senate in Imo East (Owerri Zone) under the Labour Party platform is expected to shake up the political landscape in the region. While her supporters point to her years of advocacy in women’s health and empowerment as proof of her readiness for the red chamber, the move has already sparked debate among local power brokers.
By returning to her roots to contest, Anyanwu-Akeredolu is positioning herself as a primary contender in a zone that has become a stronghold for the “Obidient” movement. As she transitions from her former role as a governor’s wife to a frontline political candidate, analysts are watching closely to see how her candidacy will impact the existing party dynamics in Imo State.
