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Tag: Anambra

  • 17 injured in Anambra communal clash

    Seventeen people have been injured in renewed clashes between Onitsha and Obosi communities in Anambra State.

    It was gathered that the communities had been at war over who owns a piece of land called Ogbodogbo on the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, where the Nigeria Metallurgical Institute (NMI) is located.

    Eyewitnesses said youths clashed in front of NMI and during the fight, Obosi youths allegedly burnt a bus, belonging to Onitsha youths.

    The youths barricaded the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway, causing a gridlock.

    An eyewitness said: “I was in a bus travelling to Owerri, when we got to Metallurgical school gate, some youths came out of the bush, armed with cutlasses, with palm fronds tied around their heads.

    “Another bus fully loaded with armed youths ran into them. There was a fight and the bus was set ablaze by the other faction.

    “Some policemen came and dispersed them with teargas.

    “We didn’t know who the boys were and what they were fighting for. It was after the police dispersed them that we continued our journey.”

    The Police Area commander for Onitsha, Benjamin Wordu, said the two communities had been having cold war over the ownership of land.

    Wordu said no one was killed but a bus belonging to Onitsha youths was burnt by Obosi youths.

    The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, could not be reached for comments, but the Palace Secretary, P. Agusiobo, said he was not aware of the incident.

    Also, the traditional ruler of Obosi community, Chidubem Iweka, could not be reached for comments, but his personal assistant, Okwudili Oguegbu, said the land belongs to Obosi community.

     

  • Anambra 2014: Confusion as Ifeanyi Ubah dumps APGA for Labour

    Anambra 2014: Confusion as Ifeanyi Ubah dumps APGA for Labour

    •NLC, TUC deny adopting him as candidate

    •LP: He is just an aspirant

     

    There was confusion yesterday over the alleged adoption of business mogul, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, as the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Anambra state.

    Ubah, the owner of Capital Oil and Gas Plc, met with officials of the LP in his country home to finalise his defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    It was learnt Ubah requested to use the LP platform to actualise his governorship ambition, a demand, sources said, received a massive support at the meeting.

    It was also gathered Ubah might be declaring for the LP this weekend.

    A source at the meeting said: “His posters had no party tag and he has approached our party to be allowed to be the governorship candidate.

    “We accepted him and we met on the procedure to do the declaration first for Labour Party before any other thing follows.

    ‘’He dumped APGA for our party and we are watching how things will turn out because I know he has been automatically adopted as our candidate.”

    The state chairman of Labour Party, Chief Sam Oaregbunam, confirmed the party met with Ubah but denied he had been adopted as the party’s candidate.

    Ubah, he said, has to go through the party’s primary, first as stipulated in the Electoral Act under the supervision of INEC before being declared as the candidate.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Anambra State chapter also distanced itself from the purported adoption.

    Its chairman, Comrade Patrick Obianyo, said that organised labour has not endorsed Ubah or any other candidate.

    According to him: ’’We are not Labour Party that was speculated to have endorsed him. We are the organised labour and not the Labour Party.

    The state chairman of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Justin Okoye, maintained the body cannot sell its stand on none partisanship for anything.

    ‘’We are workers and there is no way we would be partisan but we must be involved in making sure that the right person emerges as the governor of Anambra State.

    “There is no candidate for now but if a good candidate emerges from the Labour Party, we would support the candidate to become governor of Anambra State.”

  • Anambra 2014: 17 step down for consensus candidate

    The 17 gubernatorial aspirants from Anambra North senatorial zone yesterday agreed to adopt a consensus candidate to enable the zone produce the next governor.

    Only eight of them, however, attended the meeting.

    They were Mr. Oseloka Obaze (APGA); Dr. Chike Obidigbo (APGA); Alex Obiogbolu (PDP); Nnamdi Ekweogwu (PDP); Barr Chinedu Idigo (APGA), Paul Odenigbo and Dr. Emma Okafor.

    They pledged to work with whoever is adopted as the consensus candidate of the zone.

    Chairman of Olu na Adagbe, Chief Shedrack Anakwue, said each of the major parties would present a candidate from the zone.

    The aspirants, he said, would endorse the consensus candidate at the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and All Progressive Alliance (APC).

    He handed over a sealed envelope to the Chairman of the Anambra North Traditional Rulers’ council and Chairman of Olu na Adagbe traditional ruler, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, for keeps.

  • Issues in Anambra 2014 PDP governorship ticket

    Issues in Anambra 2014 PDP governorship ticket

    Andy Uba was sworn in as Anambra Governor after 2007 election. But he was removed about two weeks later through a court order which faulted INEC for conducting the poll in the state when current Governor Peter Obi’s tenure was still running. The tenure expires next year.

    Now Andy, who in April 2011 contested and won a Senate seat and he is chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, is warming up to return to the seat he vacated. He is not deterred by the setback of 2007.

    Only recently, while making known his ambition to gun for the coveted office inside Enugu Sports Club, Uba was quick to put the matter straight to doubters. Looking straight-facedly at reporters, he said: ”In 2007 when I ran for governor, I had a vision for Anambra State, within the few days I stayed, people got an insight into my plans; my vision was to change the face of Anambra. I was pushing for a plan to transform Anambra but unfortunately, it didn’t work.”

    Almost immediately after, youths, under the aegis of Omambala Youth Forum, announced their resolve to support the governorship ambition of Senator Andy Uba. They did so at a meeting in Otuocha. The forum comprising youths from the four council areas of the state namely: Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Oyi, said their decision to support Uba followed his record of achievements since he went into public office.

    According to the forum chairman, Innocent Offordile (Eselu Aguleri), who presided at the meeting, though Uba represents Anambra South in the Senate, youths in the four local government areas which are in Anambra North would always remember Uba’s gesture to the people of the area during last year’s flood disaster.

    Said he: ”We have declared support for Senator Uba because he has told us officially about his governorship ambition. He has done it before and we believe that he will do it again.”

    Also, in his recent writing, vibrant commentator, Emeka Oraetoka, recalled the entire saga that heralded the sacking of Uba from office in 2007 vis-à-vis Governor Obi’s comment on the zoning formula for Anambra State preferring his successor to emerge from Anambra North.

    He went a step further by stating what has now become an obvious popular position on the matter.

    “On the issue of governorship election in 2014, the questions the people of Anambra State are asking Peter Obi are:  Does he want the governorship election in 2014 zoned to Anambra North based on his interpretation of equity? What happens to the fellow that was asked to vacate office 17 days after being sworn-in for an offence he did not commit? Has justice been done to the zone or possibly the local government area where Andy Uba hails from?  Which, out of equity and justice, ranks higher in order of priority?

    “From the point of view of politics, what constitutes equity? Is Peter Obi implying that all registered political parties in Nigeria must cede their governorship positions to Anambra North, come 2014? Is he as well saying that Anambra North has no electable candidate[s]? Or is the governor saying that the people of the zone are weak in all ramifications and therefore cannot compete politically in the state?” Oraetoka asked.

    Uba sometime ago organised a Town Hall meeting for his constituents in the seven council areas that make up his Senatorial district to explain his activities in the Senate and to subject himself to their scrutiny.

    “I believe that the people you represent at whatever level must come first in what you do because it is not by accident that they entrust their mandate in your care. The mandate one holds in trust for the people is sacred and the product of a collective conviction that he is worthy both in character and ability to represent their interests,” adding that no leader worth his salt should take the people he leads for granted.

    Reflecting on his eventful stay at the Senate so far, Uba had told his constituents that apart from sponsoring four bills and co-sponsoring 12 motions, he had attracted not less than N16million projects to the area. He clarified that all the projects were domiciled in the 2012 budget.

    Ahead 2014

    Ahead next year’s governorship election in the state, Anambra known for its vibrant politics, has thrown up tens of aspirants apart from Uba looking forward to succeeding incumbent Obi. Among the fine crop of such personalities are Comrade Tony Nwoye, Paul Odenigbo, Chukwuma Soludo, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Emmanuel Anosike, all from the same PDP fold as Uba. Besides, there are those from the other parties. They include: Senator Chris Ngige, ACN; Senator Annie Okonkwo, APC; Ifeanyi Uba, Labour and Hon. Uche Ekwunife, APGA, among others.

    No doubt, given the peculiarities of Anambra politics, the list is sure to be longer as the countdown reduces from months to weeks. The attendant drama, tension, intimidations too, and upsets and near-upsets, all recurring features of the politics of Anambra State add up to give the four-yearly event its uniqueness. But one good thing about the foregoing is that by the time the chicken comes home to roost, all frayed nerves somehow will find some way to smoothen out.

    PDP ticket Of the array of aspirants from the Anambra PDP fold who seek to succeed Obi, it appears Uba stands a good chance, just as some others.

    When a newspaper (not The Nation) sounded out residents of Awka and Uga area of the state last week, it was clear that the senator from Anambra South stood a chance as PDP prepares to nominate their choice for Anambra 2014.

    “I really don’t see it that way. I know with the people and party members by my side and God honouring us, I look good to pick the PDP ticket. But I know also that other contenders are there; and they are no push-overs. We are all trying to see how we can serve our dear Anambra State in the office of governor. We pray things work out,” Uba said in that publication.

    Even as he exudes confidence, the senator recognises the fact that other contenders have the right to aspire to the same office. However, like he always underscores, promotion comes from God.

    •Dennis Sami, the Publisher of The Nigerian Pilot, writes from Abuja

  • Women march on Anambra Assembly

    •Protest multiple tax payment
    •Market closed, police cordon off area

    Women-traders from Eke-Awka market in Anambra State yesterday marched on the House of Assembly to protest multiple taxes imposed on them by the government.

    No fewer than 500 protesters carried placards denouncing the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Robert Okonkwo.

    The police cordoned off the market. Its spokesman, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said the action was taken to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    He said: “The command is not interested in anything being agitated for by any person or group, our interest is to keep peace and that is why we deployed our men to the market.”

    At the market, several gunshots were fired by the police to prevent traders from entering.

    The women’s spokesman, Mrs. Praise Moneke, said they were protesting because such a thing had never happened in Anambra State before.

    “How can people in local market pay outrageous fees in the name of tax; we also pay five other taxes.

    “We pay storage tax, security tax, development fee and others and now they have brought traders tax, which is N3,500.

    “If they want us to continue paying like this, let them build us an international market because we built this market ourselves.

    “We contributed N50,000 each to build it,” Mrs. Moneke said.

    A human rights activist and coordinator, Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), Obi Ochije, said it was wrong to ask the women to pay multiple taxes.

    He said majority of the women are returnees from the North and widows, who need help from the government.

    “This injustice must be fought to a standstill, all the rights groups will fight for the women in this state. Weep no more,” Ochije assured them.

    The member representing Awka South 1 Constituency, Kenechukwu Chukwuemeka, assured the women that within two weeks the issue would be solved.

    “You are not importers, but retailers, we do not want destruction of property in this state and that is why I am praising you for your peaceful conduct.

    “I want to assure you that our speaker being a woman will want this issue sorted out without delay, the House will deliberate on it without delay,” he said.

    Commissioner for Information Joe Martins Uzodike said income tax is not only meant for men but for women.

    “We are only asking them to pay N3,000-N3,500 annually. It is not up to the amount they squander in beer parlours or on other things.

    “ These people should appreciate what the government is doing. Schools are functioning, roads are working, among others, so it is not too much,” Uzodike said.

     

  • Anambra Police to charge MASSOB members to court over sit at home

    Anambra Police to charge MASSOB members to court over sit at home

    Four Members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) will soon be charged to court by the Anambra State Police Command. They were arrested at Onitsha on Saturday by the Police during the sit-at-home order by the group that claimed three lives, while five vehicles were burnt. MASSOB had declared sit-at-home in the South East, following the killing of APO six in Abuja some years back and the jail sentence passed on Emeka Ezeugo (aka Rev King). According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Emeka Chukwuemeka, the arrested members of the group would be taken to court soon. He said the MASSOB members would be taken to court before Thursday this week. However, MASSOB director of information, Uchenna Madu, told the Nation newspaper that the group had assembled its team of lawyers for the court case. “We are not afraid of court, our legal team has been contacted and they have taken over the matter and soon, our members will be charged to court”. He said that MASSOB had been meeting on the issue adding that the group would not seat back and allow its members being oppressed and intimidated by anybody or group. Last weekend’s sit at home, paralyzed activities in Anambra State with shops, markets and all business centre’s closed for fear of being attacked by MASSOB. But the security operatives were all over the major towns and communities in the state to thwart any danger from the group. The police team in Onitsha was led by the Police Area commander, Benjamin Wordu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), central Police Onitsha, Tope Fasugba. Also, the state was flooded with heavy presence of the Army men, the State Security Service (SSS) and Nigeria Civil Defence Security Corps (NCDSC) among others.

  • Ekwunife declares for Anambra guber race

    Ekwunife declares for Anambra guber race

    A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Uche Ekwunife, has declared her intention to vie for the governorship race in Anambra. Ekwunife, the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, declared her interest at a forum with newsmen in Awka on Sunday. The lawmaker said that she was motivated to vie for the post to serve the people. “My motivation for running is service to the people. The governorship position is a huge responsibility that one uses to touch people’s live. “In terms of knowledge, exposure, experience, understanding the job and being a good legislator, I have what it takes to govern the state. “Being a woman is not an impediment but rather an advantage. “And where people think of the aspect of culture which demands that only men break kola, I have never seen a male governor breaking kola either. “When Dame Virgy Etiaba was there as a governor for few months, am sure you saw the remarkable improvement she made. “What we should talk about is someone who would bring the desired change that we need in the system.” According to her, the House of Representatives is the only place where you have the largest chunk of elected people with versatile knowledge. Ekwunife argued that having represented her people well at that level, she was willing to bring the knowledge to the state. “There is still a whole lot to do in the area of roads, talk about health, women empowerment, poverty eradication, industries, among others.” She described the crisis rocking APGA as a family affair, which would fizzle out in no time. “There are always litigations in politics, confusion and controversies. “It is also clear that INEC and the Appeal Court in Enugu still recognises Chief Victor Umeh as the National Chairman of the party pending the determination of the various suits. “APGA does not have factions. We have just one chaired by Chief Victor Umeh and that is where I belong to.” She refuted claims in some quarters that she would defect to PDP as part of plans to realise her aspiration, insisting that APGA was a peaceful party dear to her heart. Ekwunife commended Gov. Peter Obi’s policies which she said, had brought development to the state, expressing confidence that in APGA she would build on the foundation already laid by Obi. The legislator urged the electorate to disregard calls for the next governor to emerge from Anambra North Senatorial district, saying that the most critical thing the people needed was good governance and not zoning. “Nobody runs for deputy governor. I am running for the governorship to win, feeling and knowing that I have the capacity, mental ability, experience and what it takes to rule the state,” she stated.

  • Kidnapping: Anambra communities resort to oath-taking

    A dreaded oath was yesterday administered on the people of Anambra East and Anambra West Local Governments to stem the tide of kidnapping and communal killings.

    Known in local parlance as the kill or kidnap and die oath, the ceremony was performed in seven dreaded shrines.

    Seven male virgins were accompanied to the shrines for the oath-taking.

    The shrines were Aro-Amamerulu of Ivite Aguleri; Ayaya-Nwuru of Nando and Ebeagu of Umuikwu Anam.

    Others were Nengo of Nteje; Ovia Mmili of Umueri; Udude Onogo of Igbariam and Ochume Iwele of Umuoba Anam.

    It is widely believed the shrines and goddesses have the power to inflict calamities upon those who go against the dictates of the oath.

    It was gathered the oath-taking was informed by the killing of four persons in Aguleri/ Umuoba Anam communal clash recently.

    An eyewitness, Chukwudi Chinwoba, said the Aguleri people mistakenly killed four people from Umuoba Anam, thinking they were from Olu.

    The incident, he said, forced the Umuoba Anam people to retaliate by killing four persons from Aguleri.

    The killings not only created tensions but also led to the takeover of the communities by security forces.

    The chairman of Anambra East traditional rulers council and traditional ruler of Igbariam, Igwe Nkeli Kelly; the Chairman of traditional rulers council, Anambra West Local Government Area, Igwe Sylvester Nnose; Igwe Chukwuemeka Eri of Aguleri and Barrister Stan Nwata of Anam represented the two councils at the ceremony.

    The oath -taking was also witnessed by the Chairman of Anambra East, Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe and the Chairman of Anambra West, Chief Augustine Chukwura.

    There were also the Divisional Police Officer of Otuocha, SSS team and over 12 other traditional rulers, including over 40 representatives of the communities at the ceremony.

    The oath document titled ”Don’t kill your brothers from Anambra East and West in any form again’ directed Aguleri and Anam to stop further killings henceforth.

    A part of it reads: ”Any person from Anambra East/ Anambra West who engages in kidnapping in whatever means whether here or outside or even hold kidnapped person hostage in Anambra East/ West that shrine will kill the person.

    ”Both traditional rulers , PG’s and indigenes of Anambra East and West who hear that anybody from this area Anambra East/ West will be killed without revealing it that shrine will kill the person.

     

     

     

     

  • Anambra , Kogi communities in peace deal

    The two warring communities of Eziagulu-Otu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government of Anambra State and Echeno/Odeke in Ibaji Local Government of Kogi State yesterday reached a peace deal to resolve their boundary issues.

    The communities agreed to sheath their swords and embrace dialogue at a peace deal in Abuja.

    A communiqué at the meeting said the two communities agreed to a ceasefire, pending the final resolution of the issues.

    The chairman of Anambra East Local Government, Chinedu Obidigwe and his Ibaji counterpart, David Ogu, led stakeholders, including traditional rulers, to the meeting conveyed by Emmanuel Akubueze and leaders from the Igala speaking communities.

    The communiqué reads: “Following the intervention of Emmanuel Akubueze, in conjunction with Orient Petroleum Company, in the crisis between Echeno/Odeke and Aguleri communities, the following resolutions were made.

    “That there should be total and immediate ceasefire between the warring communities and withdrawal of the fighting troops and their weapons from the bush.

    “That the leaders of each of the communities should sensitise their people on the resolution reached at the Abuja meeting on or before the end of the month and that there should be meetings of each side at their local governments to educate their people.”

    Obidigwe said the success recorded at the meeting was made possible by the peaceful disposition of Governor Peter Obi, whom he said had opted for peace.

    He thanked Ogu for making his people available during the meeting.

  • Guber race: New entrants battle old guard in Anambra

    Guber race: New entrants battle old guard in Anambra

    In Anambra State, new entrants into the governorship race are set to battle the old guard for party tickets. Dare Odufowokan , Assistant Editor, takes a look at the unfolding political drama

     

     

    Ahead of next year’s gubernatorial election in the state, Anambra State is witnessing the coming of some new entrants into the governorship race, setting the stage for what analysts say may be an interesting political showdown between political newcomers and the old guards.

    The politics of the south eastern state before now was believed to be in the firm control of certain old guards. Expectedly, since the advent of the current democratic dispensation, the same crops of politicians have been vying for the governorship of the state.

    But in recent years, a new trend has emerged: new rivals entered the fray, challenging the usual aspirants for a chance to lead the state. During the last election, the incumbent, Governor Peter Obi, Senator Andy Uba, Annie Okonkwo and others in the old brigade met stern competition in the likes of Uche Ekunife, Kenneth Obidika, Victor Ezenwa, Kate Egwu and Emeka Nwandu, amongst others.

    Across all the political parties, the new entrants battled the old guards relentlessly. So fierce was the battle that a number of the political parties had to set up several committees to look into the candidacy of some of the aspirants when it appeared that the competitions may harm the chances of the parties at the poll.

    It took the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led committee’s intervention in the confusion that followed the disqualification of some new entrants into the race for the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship ticket to douse what nearly became a serious intra party crisis.

    Other parties, including the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Action Congress f Nigeria (ACN) also had their fair shares of crises occasioned by the entrance of new comers into the race for their governorship tickets.

    Though the incumbent Peter Obi went on to win the election, the politics of the state will never be the same again. That prediction appears to be very apt as emerging indications ahead of the 2014 governorship election are suggesting another political bout between the old and the new players in the politics of the state.

    Notable politicians who have declared their intentions to vie for the governorship ticket of their various political parties are daily being told by party leaders and members that they will have to sweat it out with a growing number of first timers also showing interest in governing the state come 2014.

    Checks by The Nation across the state revealed that more and more new entrants are lining up to contest the election. While analysts are quick to say not all of them should be taken seriously, they are also fast in adding that a few of them should be seen as serious contenders.

    A cursory look at the personalities and financial muscles of some of the contending forces suggests that the battle to succeed Governor Peter Obi will indeed be a fierce one.

     

    The old guards

    Prominent among the old guards of politicians struggling to lead Anambra S tate post 2014 is Emma Anosike. A regular face among governorship aspirants in the state, he has featured in nearly all gubernatorial elections in Anambra. A former member of the House of Representatives and an ex-senator, he is a member of the PDP.

    Anosike is once again oiling his structures to contest the governorship. Hailing from Anambra north, he is banking on the zone’s agitation to boost his aspiration this time around. He was the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election in the state.

    Alex Obiogbolu, a medical doctor from Onitsha in Anambra North Senatorial Zone, is another returnee in the race to the Government House. A chieftain of the PDP, he has aspired to the seat once or twice before now.

    A respected grassroots mobilise, the physician turned politician is currently going round the state mobilising youths and artisans ahead of the general election. His handlers say he is very optimistic of clinching the PDP governorship ticket this time around.

    Chijioke Ndubuisi, a legal practitioner, is gunning for the governorship on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party, (DPP). He is another old guard taking another shot at the governorship.

    The Obosi, Anambra North-born politician contested the 2010 elections on the platform of the National Democratic Party, NDP. Though observers of the politics of the state are skeptical about his seriousness, Ndubuisi is busy moving all over the state in search of endorsement and supports.

    Former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju is one surprise inclusion in the list of aspirants for the 2014 gubernatorial election in Anambra State. He was stopped from running for a second term under the banner of the PDP in 2003.

    Following his recent return to the PDP, the ex-governor who hails from Ihiala in Anambra South Senatorial zone is lobbying that as the only governor who was denied a second term, he should be given the party’s ticket to contest the 2014 governorship election.

    Dr. Obinna Uzoh contested the state’s governorship election in 2003 but lost at the PDP primaries. He later moved to the National Democratic Party (NDP) but failed to make much impact at the general election. The philanthropist is seeking the ticket of the PDP to contest the governorship in 2014.

    Another former governor of the state, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige, is back in the race. Currently an Action Congress of Nigeria (AC N) senator, he is expected to run on the platform of the emerging All Peoples Congress (APC) of which he is a prominent promoter.

    In spite of his ouster as governor by the court in March 2006, Ngige has remained very popular in the state. Analysts say his popularity, which culminated in his election as a senator in 2011, is based on his performance while in office as well as his resistance of political godfathers.

    Another PDP guber aspirant, Senator Andy Uba, like Dr. Chris Ngige, was a governor of Anambra State. He is currently the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District. He was also the Personal Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo

    In 2010, he contested the Anambra guber on the ticket of Labour Party and lost. Now he wants the ticket of the PDP in his quest to return to the Government House in Awka come 2014.

    In the race is also Senator Annie Okonkwo who represented Anambra Central Senatorial District in the past. He is aiming at contesting the election in 2014 but his political affiliation is still uncertain. He is said to be flirting with the ideas of either joining the APGA or the APC.

    Former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who hails from Aniocha Local Government Area, is another returning aspirant. He lost the guber election in 2010, to Governor Obi, after his controversial emergence as PDP candidate. He is reportedly eying the PDP ticket again ahead of the 2014 governorship election.

    There is also Hon. Uche Ekwunife, member of House of Representatives who tried to be governor of Anambra State in 2010 as a candidate of the Progressive people Alliance (PPA) and lost. Now a member of the ruling APGA, she wants the nod of the party to vie again in 2014.

     

    New entrants

    Mr. Ezeemo is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group of Companies. The 58-years-old businessman and media mogul hails from Umunwayiekwosiduru kindred of Umuchu, Aguata local government area of the state.

    The industrialist, who is a chieftain of the APC, has declared his readiness to unseat the APGA government in the state come 2014. He is going about his aspiration with seriousness and pundits say he is one of the men to watch in the race.

    Chief Paul Odenigbo is another new comer in the governorship race. From Ayamelum in Anambra North, he is already reputed as one of the strongest bidders for Obi’s job. A foremr Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), he enjoys the backing of party elders within the ruling APGA.

    Former Minister of Water Transport and an indigene of Mmiata Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area, Prince John Emeka is aspiring to rule Anambra State on the platform of the PDP.

    The former Minister, who recently told a gathering of party leaders of his desire to go for the governorship post, is one of the fresh candidates being thrown up by a group of non-aligned party chieftains within the PDP in the state.

    Victor Afam Ogene is currently an APGA member of the House of Representatives representing Ogbaru federal constituency of the state. He is in the race for the governorship on the platform of APGA.

    Ogene, an eloquent politician from Anambra north who made it to the House of Representatives in his first attempt is now banking on his popularity and acceptance to win the governorship contest.

     

    Ifeanyi Ubah

    Ifeanyi Uba, the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas, hails from the Anambra South Senatorial district and he is in the race for the 2014 governorship contest. An ally of Chief Victor Umeh, the embattled National Chairman of APGA, Uba is optimistic of getting the party’s ticket.

    He is regarded as one of the leading contenders for Obi’s job given his popularity and huge financial war chest.

    Another aspirant, Oseloka Obaze, is also from Ogbaru, Anambra north senatorial district. Currently, the Secretary to the State Government and a good confidant of the governor, pundits say he might get the governor’s endorsement if he decides to contest.

    Chike Obidigbo is another aspirant considered to have deep pockets to fund the race for the governorship. He is running on the platform of the PDP. A fresher who has not contested any elective position, his handlers say he has what it takes to win the party’s ticket.