THE Igbo Youths Movement (IYM) has urged the All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to reconsider its disqualification of seven governorship aspirants and allow all those seeking the Anambra governorship seat on its platform to take part in the primaries.
The party, weekend disqualified former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze and five others after screening all the aspirants.
Speaking on the issue, yesterday, IYM President, Evangelist Elliot Uko, pleaded with the APGA hierarchy to reconsider the decision because “it is suspicious and has been fueling conspiracy theory of deliberate ploy to stop some people from running. They should open up the democratic space and let all aspirants take part in the primaries.
Meanwhile, the group has commended Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, who aspire for the gubernatorial seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his commitment to Ndigbo since 2007.
“IYM appreciates the fact that Nwankpo played a strategic role in getting Ndigbo to vote in one direction in the 2007 presidential polls. We commend him for his commitment to building Igbo organizations and assistance to flood victims last year,” Uko said.
PDP: We’re not part of any court injunction — Okeke
…Says I’m the new face of Anambra
One of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship aspirants, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke (Enyioha) yesterday dissociated himself from the alleged injunction by 11 governorship aspirants against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, over last week’s congress of the party.
Mr. Ugochukwu Adileje, a lawyer, who reacted on behalf of Okeke said the PDP aspirant cannot be part of any gang up, adding that while he (Okeke) believes in the leadership of PDP at the national level and Prince Kenneth Emeakayi’s leadership at the state level, he does not believe in forming a coalition of protesters in the run up to the gubernatorial election.
Adileje said, “We are not involved in any court injunction. Our principal is in touch with other aspirants, but not for the purpose of engaging in any protest. We believe that whatever issue affecting PDP will be resolved because we want peace to reign in the party.”
I’m the new face of Anambra
Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, a PDP governorship aspirant said he is primarily in the race to develop Anambra State and empower youths of the state who have remained unemployed after many years of leaving school.
According to him, a blueprint for the development of the state has already been prepared by his campaign organization, adding that many stakeholders in the state were desirous of joining hands with him to move the state forward.
The aspirant, who is from Anambra South senatorial zone, said that Anambra indigenes abroad have expressed their desire to join him in attracting international investors into the state, adding that as somebody who has established contacts outside the state, donor agencies would double their interest in Anambra State if he became the governor.
He said: “I am a new face of Anambra leadership. I am not a money bag.”
My vision bigger than my fear —Ubah
Labour Party governorship aspirant for the polls, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has promised to make security of lives and properties a priority in his administration if elected governor of the state.
Reeling out his action plan for the state in his manifesto, Dr Ubah said he would “ensure security of lives and property, preventing, detecting and fighting crime and use of technology to fight crime.”
He said, “I have a proven record of investments and capacity to create wealth and employment, which I believe makes me ideally suited to tackle the challenges facing our state. I have also in practical terms created thousands of jobs and empowered thousands of Anambra indigenes, mostly youths. I have no doubt that my leadership will make Anambra better. I am confident that despite the challenging times we have passed through, the trials and tribulations, there are brighter days ahead. We have forgiven and we should also be forgiven for any misunderstandings, conflicts, or shortcomings.
Contesting on the platform of the Labour Party, Ubah said “my vision is bigger than my fear; my actions are louder than my words; and my word is my bond. Our beloved state has a rich background of success in many fields of human endeavour. Our people have greatly excelled in politics, commerce and industry, academia, economic development and religion, to mention a few.”
Anosike’s clean hands
Senator Emma Anosike is not new on the terrain but admits that unlike many old soldiers on the field that he is not a money bag. The former lawmaker and PDP gubernatorial running mate in 2010 told Vanguard that people form the basis of his own strength as he denied being a godfather or having a godfather.
“Almighty God is my God-father and I can tell you that so far that I have gone in life was due to Gods support.”
On his financial prowess for the contest, he said: “I am not a money bag but my industry is relationship with people and anybody that has the people has the majority. My hands are clean, I feel excited when I’m with them but not excited about their money, I believe in doing things for the less privileged.
Every year, I sponsor two thousand widows, I raise money to start up things for them and I support several motherless babies home every year, that is my calling and if I become the Governor of the state, those areas will be key in my government.
“I believe in helping people and acquisition of knowledge. They believe money can do all things because some of them are illiterates but for me, knowledge is power and key.”
We’ll miss Gov Obi —Ohanaeze
The Anambra State chairman of Ohanez Ndigbo, Chief Chris Eluemunoh says the apex Igbo socio –cultural organization, would miss Governor Peter Obi’s wise counseling to the body when he leaves office on March 17, 2014..
Eluemunoh, who spoke when the governor presented a cheque of N2 million to the body, said Ohaneze appreciates the Obi’s efforts both in the development of Anambra State and the promotion of Igbo course in the country.
“We are going to miss you as your tenure nears the end for all your support to Ohaneze and for your uncommon development of our state,” he said.
Umeh condoles mourning Ekwunife
The national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief (Sir) Victor Umeh, has called on all members of the party to unite as a family, so as to face the political challenges ahead of the party.
Addressing members of Hon. Uche Ekwunife Campaign Organization when he paid a condolence visit to Hon. Ekwunife in her residence in Awka over the death of her mother, Chief Umeh explained that what happened in the recent past in the party, was not really a battle for supremacy, but a struggle for the common good of APGA and its members.
He recalled that during that struggle, Hon. Uche Ekwunife and Chief Austin Ndigwe, stood firmly by him, insisting that he (Umeh) did nothing wrong to deserve persecution at the time. Umeh emphasized that all his efforts were geared towards ensuring that APGA remained a political force to contend with in Nigeria, adding that members of the party must work as a family to ensure victory for APGA in the forth-coming gubernatorial election in the state.