The Nation Newspaper

Category: Anambra Election

  • Jonathan, PDP chiefs storm Onitsha for Nwoye

    Jonathan, PDP chiefs storm Onitsha for Nwoye

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday stormed Onitsha in Anambra State, saying Saturday’s poll must be free and fair.

    The President, who came to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) standard-bearer, Comrade Tony Nwoye, said Anambra people should honour Nigeria’s first President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, whose 109th birthday coincided with the election day.

    Nwoye’s campaign was attended byAkwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, PDP’s National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, among others.

    It was held at the Basilica of Most Holy Trinity field, Onitsha.

    President Jonathan urged the electorate to vote for Comrade Nwoye, whom he described as young and vibrant, with a zeal to serve the people.

    He promised a level-playing field for all parties.

    “This poll is special in the sense that it is holding on November 16, the day one of the greatest leaders of our country, the late Dr. Azikiwe, was born.

    “It will be a very good birthday gift for the great Zik and will bring Anambra State forward if you vote for Comrade Nwoye and PDP.

    “Anambra people must work hard to ensure that the next governor is elected on the platform of the PDP.”

    “Don’t be distracted by the rumours that some people are recruiting youths from neighbouring states. We must ensure security during and after the election and ensure one-man one-vote.”

    Alhaji Tukur, who described Nwoye as a versatile young man, whose zeal to serve was unparalleled, told the people to vote for PDP for uncommon transformation.

    Tukur said: “Don’t continue to remain outside the fold. Return to your main umbrella and get your development. That was why we insisted on a free and credible primary election.”

    Governor Akpabio said the mega rally was to take over Anambra.

    Nwoye promised to revolutionise the state, if elected, assuring the people of security of life and property. He promised youth empowerment, adding that he would prioritise agriculture.

    The lawmaker representing Anambra North, Senator Maggery Okadigbo, described Nwoye as vibrant and a grassroots mobiliser, who would deliver on his campaign promises.

    One of the members of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Prince Arthur Eze enjoined the indigenes to vote for Nwoye for total transformation.

  • INEC takes delivery of electoral materials

    INEC takes delivery of electoral materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State yesterday took delivery of sensitive electoral materials under tight security.

    The exercise took place inside the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) building on the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. It began about 6:30pm.

    Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof C.E. Onukaogu, took delivery of the materials with an Assistant Commissioner of Police and party chiefs watching.

    The materials were labelled according to the numbers of registered voters. It was agreed at a stakeholders’ forum held earlier in the day that the sensitive materials, which include ballot papers and result collation sheets, be handed over to INEC.

    While the result collation sheets were wrapped in white papers, ballot papers were wrapped in brown papers.

    It was learnt that the materials, which were taken to the INEC office on the House of Assembly Road for safe keeping, would be distributed to local governments about 9am today in the presence of party chieftains and other stakeholders.

    About 100 heavily- armed and stern- looking anti-riot policemen took over the CBN premises during the exercise.

  • APGA chieftain solicits votes for Obiano

    APGA chieftain solicits votes for Obiano

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Mr. Anele Michael, has urged Anambra indigenes to vote for the party’s candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, to maintain the political identity of Ndigbo.

    Anele, the APGA chairman in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, told reporters in Aba that it would be in the interest of Ndigbo if APGA wins.

    He enjoined stakeholders, including governorship aspirants, who lost the primaries, to put aside personal interest and mobilise support for Obiano, to ensure that the party realised its dream of winning the poll, Anele said:

    “Governor Peter Obi, the party’s chairman and other stakeholders, including the governorship aspirants, must put aside their grievances and ensure victory for APGA.”