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Tag: Anambra South

  • Why governorship should move to Anambra South -Emecheta

    Sir Jude Emecheta, is the Chairman, Obiano Support Group (OSG) in Anambra State. In this Interview with Nwanosike Onu, he talks about the preparation of his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, towards 2021 governorship election in the state, and why governorship position should move to the South Senatorial zone, among others. Excepts

    ANAMBRA governorship election is close and no serious thing yet from your party; what preparations are in the offing?

    You can’t say there is no preparation from APGA. APGA is in government, APGA is preparing every day. The governor is working on a daily basis, inspecting projects, commissioning new ones. So, Anambra State Government is working; APGA is preparing, the opposition does not have anything doing. We know that we are working; APGA is working.

    APC and PDP chairmen are tackling your party…

    APGA will still take over. APGA is the spirit of the Igbo man; APGA is the heart of Anambra

    But the zoning formula proposed by your party is not selling the other parties in Anambra .

    You see, Anambra did not sit down one day and took a decision; it is like in Nigeria; there is a burden on everybody.  The president should go north and south. When it comes to south, southwest will go, south-south will go, south-east will go. When it comes to north, they will share it the same way, three zones. It’s a moral thing; it’s the only peaceful way to bring the country together.

    In Anambra, fair enough, it started with the south; Mbadinuju, he ran a four (4) year term and it was chopped off the south and they did not protest. That’s why they want to return it to the south so that the south can complete their term. It went to Anambra Central, Anambra Central fondly enough, Dr. Chris Ngige took three years from APGA; when it was recovered from him, Peter Obi stayed eight years that makes it 11years from central and while Peter Obi an APGA man then, pleaded with   Ndi Anambra, let us go to the north so that there would be equity; there would be justice and Anambra was like, yes you are right.

    Those who came from the south; came from the central to contest, but they knew that the spirit of that equity was completely permissive in Anambra State and they allowed the north to go.

    Now as it stands today, if you say everybody has gone, let’s start all over, south will start because it all started from the south. But south was shortchanged. Somebody was telling me about Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, so how many months, how many years? We are talking about this current dispensation that the south for only four years and they should be allowed to do their own full tenure now for eight years, no matter how good, no matter how bad. Let them do their own eight years and then pass it on to another section, another zone of Anambra State. People are saying, when the south finishes, it will be thrown open.

    Many people in the state believe that  APGA administration has not done well to dictate to them, how true is this ascertain?

    When you combine PDP and APC opposition, that’s the kind of thing they are used to. I want to ask them what the man has not done well? Are the roads in Anambra bad? They forget that these roads were constructed about seven years back and they could not stand the test of time. But see the ones done by Chief Willie Obiano, you will see the difference.

    So what you are saying now is that your party is not afraid of the APC at the center and PDP with former Governor Peter Obi on the prowl?

    We are not afraid of APC because we know that the President, Muhammadu Buhari has shown character in conducting elections before now, otherwise, he wouldn’t have lost some states like Bauchi, Adamawa. He would have taken Adamawa from Atiku; he would have taken Bauchi by force; he would have taken Rivers State by force. But, he allowed the correct process to go; that’s why you hear APC lost in Adamawa, APC lost in Bauchi and contesting Kano which is his house, kind of a home for him. They are contesting it. Ordinarily, they shouldn’t be contesting Kaduna with Buhari but, he is a kind of upright person that left the electoral process to go in a right way.

    So we don’t see him coming to Anambra State to say “kill everybody; give it to APC” and we know he will not do it but, APC will have to present the candidate who will run the election here and be acceptable to the people.

    I do not believe that APC has an eye here.  But all I would say is that they should first agree to build a structure for the next eight years not for this one because, for now, they do not have a structure . Our friend and brother, Dr. Chris Ngige and the new woman, I don’t even know her name, I don’t know how they are going to do the magic here to win anything.

    So how many people are interested in the governorship of APGA now in Anambra?

    Let us not open the leaves, but we know a lot of people will be interested. We even have people who are out of the party, the party can even go and bring them in to come and contest this election. APGA has nice and qualified persons as good as Obiano .  I can’t begin to mention names. I will mention names when the time is ripe. But you should know that our party has people like Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Sir Vin Okolo, the MD of one of the new generation Banks, among others.

     

  • ‘I didn’t say I declared Ubah winner to save my life’

    The Returning Officer for Saturday’s election in Anambra South, Prof. Meshach Umenweke, has dismissed reports that he declared candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Ifeanyi Ubah, winner to save his life.

    It was reported that Umenweke, in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), claimed the election was inconclusive, and that he was forced to declare Ubah winner.

    But Umenweke, in a statement yesterday, said he did not announce the results under duress.

    The statement reads: “Notwithstanding the contents of my February 25 letter, I never at any point said I announced results of the Anambra South senatorial election under duress.

    “No gun or knife was pointed at me while announcing the results. The election tribunal remains the constitutionally-recognised means for any aggrieved party.”

    The electoral officer, however, admitted that declaring the exercise as inconclusive was to help him debrief the seven local government collation officers on issues raised in the PDP’s petition and to investigate the claims.

    According to him, no reports were received by the collation officers after extensive investigations were done.

    He said: “In the light of no evidence before me to support the claims of the writer of the petition, I hereby reaffirm my declaration that Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the candidate of YPP, is the winner of the Anambra South senatorial election.”

  • Buhari’ll win with or without your votes, Ubah tells Ndigbo

    The senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra South, Senator Andy Ubah, has stated President Muhammadu Buhari will win Saturday’s poll with a landslide with or without the votes of Ndigbo.

    He said it was better the Igbos cast their votes for Buhari as voting against him would not stop his victory at the poll.

    Addressing party faithful on Wednesday at a rally in Nnewi, Ubah said the people of the zone should resist the mistakes of 2015 when APC was not voted for in the South East.

    He said Ndigbo should have nobody to blame if they were not seen to have massively voted for Buhari and every other candidate of the party in the zone.

    According to him: “It is obvious that President Muhammadu Buhari will be re-elected on Saturday. Whether you vote for him or not, he will win.

    “It is unfortunate that during the last election in 2015, only 10 million votes were recorded for Buhari in the South East.

    Read Also: Attack on Buhari, Osinbajo treasonable, says Falana

    “But this time around, I want Anambra South alone to give him not less than 1 million votes.”

    Candidate representing Nnewi North/South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituencies, Engr. Jude Onyeka said voting all APC candidates would guarrantee a team that would bring democracy dividends to the zone.

    On his part, National Auditor of the party, Chief George Muoghalu asked party supporters not to be confused with money or any other gratification.

    Other chieftains at the rally were the party’s deputy governorship candidate in 2017 in Anambra, Dozie Ikedife jnr, Nnewi North chairman, Tony Atuenyi as the host, Engr Forth Dike, J.C.Okeke, Omo Okeke, among others.

  • Uba: I will rescue Anambra South from poor representation

    THE candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Anambra South senatorial race, Chief Chris Uba, says he is in the contest to rescue his people from the poor representation they have witnessed over the years.

    Uba who spoke at Orumba North, Orumba South and Ihiala town hall meetings at Umunze, Ajalli and Ihiala respectively said no body in Anambra State had contested any election without his support, including governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and those of the state House of Assembly since 1999.

    The PDP candidate said he came to contest the seat in anger, because those who had represented his people had failed in their duties by abandoning them, saying “enough is enough”.

    He urged the people to stop selling their votes and conscience, because the time to rescue them is now. “You told me to come out and I have complied with your wishes,” he added.

    Uba who is widely regarded as the godfather of Anambra politics said those who were there today were not experienced than me in politics. He added that they would never regret sending him to Senate.

    He said: “If voted into power, I would work with any president without antagonizing him. After my tenure, no person would have the courage to come out to contest again, because of the record I would set at the Senate.

    “Fear not, I have the resources for this election. I have the brain; I have the connection and I have the capacity to become your senator.

    “I’m ready for this fight and ready to give my constituents what they had lacked in many years and I’m ready to sign an agreement with Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government areas to show my seriousness in this election.”

    Uba said he would visit all the seven local government areas that make up Anambra South. He added that the town hall meeting is the first step and that it would be followed by main rallies this week.

    At Ihiala, the PDP candidate said he was not going to the Senate to amass wealth, but to help the widows, the needy and other less-privileged people in the society.

    Addressing a mammoth crowd in the town, Uba told the people that he would make sure all the things due to Ihiala would get to them.

  • Anambra South: Uba brothers battle for senate

    Two brothers-Andy and Chris Uba- are competing for the Anambra South senatorial seat. Chris is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Andy is the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Who wins? Southeast Bureau Chief NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the sibling rivalry.

    All is set for the epic battle between the two brothers, Andy and Chris, who are contesting for the senate in Anambra  South Senatorial District.

    The two are of the same mother and father.

    Both have secured the senatorial tickets in their respective political parties in Anambra State.

    Uba is the senator representing the zone. His younger brother has vowed to dethrone him. He is tired of being addressed as political ‘godfather ‘ without any other benefit.

    Chief Chris Uba, the senatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, is the youngest of the Ubas’,while Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressive Congress APC has secured his party’s ticket for the third time.

    The battle of supremacy between the siblings has just begin.

    During the party primaries in Anambra South, the godfather secured the PDP ticket. His elder brother, Andy, got the nod of APC. Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu defeated Mrs Bianca Ojukwu for the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    This is not the first time the brothers would square up against one other.

    In 2015, Chris nearly stopped his elder brother when they were both of the PDP. Their case got to the apex court where the interpretation of the judgement has not been given till date.

    Chris believes his brother has not given the people of the zone enough since he was elected.

    Besides, he claims the godfathers are not in the equation of what goes on in the corridors of power in the country. Hence, his decision to taste the fruit himself.

    For Senator Uba, the second in the dynasty that had served in the Senate, after their eldest brother, Ugochukwu between 2003 and 2007, it’s not yet time to quit

    He may likely face some problems in his attempt to seek a third term, as many people in the area are no longer comfortable with his representation.

    Some of them accuse him of being selfish.

    The only thing working for Sen Uba, which has made him adamant is his closeness to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Though in APC now, Sen Uba may find it difficult defeating his younger brother and Ukachukwu. Both are political caterpillars in the state.

    Again, his emergence as the APC candidate  is being questioned by those who contested the ticket with him, including Sir Azuka Okwuosa, and other stakeholders.

    They are accusing the senator of securing the APC ticket without going through the primary.

    But, Chris emerged at the primary, which was held at the Ekwulobia Stadium, Aguata, where he defeated Obinna Uzor and Chuma Nzeribe .

    The primary was witnessed by  security agencies and senior officers of the Independent National Electoral commission INEC.

    Chris Uba, popularly known as the   Ochiagha (war lord), said  he is tired of being hailed as the ‘godfather’ of Anambra politics without anything to show for it.

    Uba said Senator Uba would not pose any threat to his ambition, having emerged victorious at the primary.

    He said he would want his brother to throw in the towel before the election next year.

    Chris said: “Why I want to run is because we have been sponsoring people to run for position in Anambra State and across Nigeria. I have been doing that and a lot of people have passed through my school.

    “ But, they call us godfathers. We have made cases severally for the party to make some provisions in the party constitution to protect godfathers, but all to no avail.

    “Do you know if I bring someone and sponsor that person in the House of Representatives, Senate and House of Assembly, with my own money and everything, I will sit down in my house, and when they call them for meetings at the Villa or anywhere else, they will address them as serving senators, serving House of Reps members, serving this and that. They have never ask any godfather that where are you.

    He added: “The truth remains that we are the people closer to the grassroots. A lot of people depend on us. A lot of families depend on us and many families today are hungry.

    “But, after sponsoring those people, immediately they get to Abuja, you can’t get them on phone again. Nobody will see them again. They buy all choice cars and the next thing, they will blackmail you. They will start fighting you. They will say they’ve known the President. They’ve known the party chairman and as a godfather, you are in trouble.”

    “ So, now we need office to protect our position and the positions of our people. That is why I am running for the Senate. I tell you that my people are solidly behind me in this race and I bet you, it will be an easy sail as my people are ready with their voters’ cards to vote me in because they want me to protect their interest”

    “My brother, Andy, on the other hand, knows my position too; he has been there for eight years and must take a bow now. I pray for my brother to go higher; to become governor or vice-president, but not on this Senate. It is now my turn. I want him to throw in the towel because the battle is going to be very serious.”

    Chirs is perceived as a grassroots politician. Senator Uba is perceived to as anAbuja politician in Anambra. But, he has his supporters too.

    However, the major obstacle the two brothers will face is Ukachukwu, who has been the rival of the Ubas for many years.

    The Osumenyi, Nnewi-born politician defeated Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca,  at the APGA primary, despite the fact that he lacked the support of the state government.

    But, many people believe the 2019 senatorial election in the South District will be between the Uba brothers, despite the presence of Ukachukwu.

    Analysts fear that the poll may be marred y violence.

    The three candidates are heavyweight actors.  They have money and many have alleged that they often promoted thuggery.  They are always surrounded by security agents. They have also been associted with disputed election results. Rigging was rampant in Anambra in those days.

    Febriary next year is important in Anambra South. The Uba brothers are on the prowl. Ukachukwu is not laving anything to chances. Who wins?  Time will tell.

     

  • APGA South senatorial ticket: Many rivers to cross for Bianca Ojukwu

    IT is no longer news that Bianca, the widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is seeking to get the ticket of the  All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to contest for the Anambra South senatorial seat in the 2019 election.

    The matter for the former beauty queen is the numerous hurdles that are standing between her and her quest to achieving her political ambition.

    One of the challenges staring the former ambassador of Nigeria to Spain in the face is  the formidable opposition in APGA that she must subdue  to  clinch the ticket and go on to represent the party in the coming election.

    Bianca, it was learnt, is very  dear to the heart of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to represent her people at the Red Chambers,  but majority of the APGA family are said to be against such move.

    The late Ojukwu’s wife is contesting  for the position in APGA against other solid opponents like the oil magnate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

    Though Bianca  has the support of one of the richest men in Anambra, Dr Godwin Maduka and former Governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim among other chieftains,   feelers from the party have it that   the chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, Ubah is being favoured to grab the  ticket .

    During the retreat and book launch of the party penultimate week at Finotel Hotel in Awka, entitled “APGA, the Trials, Tribulations and Triumphs “, the former National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, reminded the guests how Ubah rescued the party when it had problems in 2012.

    He told the audience that Ubah deserves compensation, adding that no other person had suffered for the party more than the Capital Oil boss.

    Umeh’s glowing tributes about Ubah were greeted with some murmurings, suspected to be  from the camp of Bianca and her promoters who were all in attendance.

    Apart from Umeh’s open endorsement of  Ubah, some APGA chieftains told The Nation that the ambition of Ojukwu’s wife is tearing their party apart and “if not checked by the powers that be, it might lead to the party losing Anambra South senatorial election in 2019.”

    The other  battle confronting  the delectable widow of  the ex- Biafra warlord, is the internal  wrangling with members of  her late husband’s family.

    Some members of the Ojukwu’s family are reported  not to be  in good terms with the ex-beauty queen turned politician. Some of them, including Ikemba The Second, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, are said to be seeing  her as a stranger in their family.

    Besides, The Nation gathered that some of the family members and APGA faithful, see her as arrogant, pompous and a snub who will never remember any of them if she wins any election.

    In spite of the numerous  rivers she has to cross, political observers in the state believe that Bianca still has some things  working for her. “ Though she may not be an oil magnate or a money bag, being the widow of Ojukwu and being the daughter of late former governor of the  old Anambra State, Chief Christian C Onoh, endears her to many of us. Again, Mrs Ojukwu, who is a lawyer is the most qualified among the contestants and has the pedigree and mien to wrestle the ticket from the others,” said  a chieftain of the party loyal to Bianca  who did not want his name  in print.

    Another  political bigwig in the state, Dr Godwin Maduka from Umuchukwu in Orumba South Local Government Area, that falls within the zone, believes that Bianca is the best thing that could happen to the zone.

    Just like Umeh publicly sought support for Ubah,  Maduka urged the people of Anambra South to support the ambition of Bianca Ojukwu, as she had the capacity to showcase Nigeria as a country of heroes and heroines through her academics, family and political experiences.

    According to him:”We know her life history.  Money  alone cannot be equated to leadership. Having the education, money, compassion, empathy, sympathy and having passed through poverty make her the best to run for the seat.

    “We should appreciate Bianca Ojukwu for agreeing to run for public office.  I believe that she is not only qualified, but over qualified.

    “I am sure she has learnt a lot from her late husband, Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Igbo supreme leader and from her father, late C C Onoh. I’m happy she has accepted to run for public office, “Maduka said

    To show his support for  Bianca’s ambition,  Maduka at the book launch and retreat of the party in Awka, donated N20million to dwarf Ubah, Ukachukwu and others’ donations.

    The fate of Bianca Ojukwu as it stands, is hanging in the balance, as the people of Nnewi are said not to be in support of her ambition since their son, Dr Ubah is also in the race.

    But the wife of the late  Ikemba appeared unruffled as she is said to be convinced that majority of the people, especially the youths,  are solidly behind her aspirations.

    As the aspirants continue their quests for the senatorial ticket of APGA in the south zone, would Bianca react in the political arena, the feat that fetched her  the most beautiful queen crown?  Only time will tell.