Okwu Samson

Samson Okwu (born 7 February 1974) is a Nigerian politician and a member of the Federal House of Representatives for Oju/Obi Federal Constituency in the 7th to 9th National Assembly. He is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and he failed to secure re-election in the 2023 elections after being defeated by his long-standing opponent, David Ogewu of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Political career

Okwu was first elected to the Federal House of Representatives in 2011 and won re-elections in 2015 and 2019. He served as chairman of the House Committee on Air Force from 2015 to 2019 and was the leader of the Benue State PDP Caucus in the House. In 2019, Okwu lost the election to David Ogewu of the All Progressive Grand Alliance but reclaimed his mandate from the Election Petitions Tribunal after proving that Ogewu was wrongly declared the winner using incomplete results. The Tribunal found that Okwu had more valid votes and declared him the winner. Ogewu's appeal at the Appeal Court to upturn the judgment of the lower court to retain his seat failed, and he lost the seat to Okwu.

In 2023, both men ran against each other again. Ogewu, now on the ticket of the APC, scored 26,450 votes, defeating Okwu, who polled 12,506 votes.

Party Positions

Policy positions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) party manifesto.

Education

Ensure free education up to Junior Secondary School (JSS1) level and commit to revamping tertiary education.

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Healthcare

Provide free medical services for pregnant women and children under five years, rehabilitate health facilities in each LGA, and support local production of essential drugs.

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Infrastructure

Accelerate the completion of key rail projects, including standard gauge rail lines between Lagos and Kano (Phase 1) and Port Harcourt to Jos (Phase 2), by privatizing or concessioning the Nigerian Railway Corporation to private operators.

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Security & Defense

PDP plans to refine recruitment methods, retrain personnel, improve logistics, and strengthen early warning systems for police reform.

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Anti-corruption

PDP commits to strengthening anti-corruption institutions (EFCC & ICPC) and enforcing transparency reforms, including asset declaration laws and removal of immunity clauses for public officials.

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Energy

PDP pledges to eliminate gas flaring, enforce air pollution regulations, complete deregulation of downstream petroleum sector, and lay gas pipelines nationwide for industrial use.

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Environment & Climate

Commits to reclaiming and rehabilitating land devastated by desertification and soil erosion through afforestation in affected areas.

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Technology & Digital

Will establish internet/computer learning centers in all LGAs, provide computers for secondary schools, and enforce local content policy for telecom equipment.

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