The Anambra State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recently held a mega rally in Onitsha to drum support for its governorship candidate in the November 16, election, Chief Willie Obiano. AUGUSTINE AVWODE reports.
Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, literally stood still as the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) took the town by storm. The party held a mega rally to drum support for its governorship candidate in the November 16, governorship election, Chief Willie Obiano. It was dubbed the “mother of all rallies.” The expansive ground of the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, became too small as the crowd spilled to the, adjourning roads and streets. There was traffic gridlock.
The party stormed the town with the gospel of “continuity.” The message was delivered with passion for the greater part, influent Igbo language.
The import of the election is not lost on the ruling party. Except APGA wins poll it may go into oblivion. It was, therefore, not surprising that on all banners, posters, big or small; the message, of continuity was inscribed. Some of them read: “Forward ever, backward never”, “Let us continue to build a better future for our state and children”, “The good work must continue”, “Continuity! Continuity!! Continuity!!!.
It was, in a way, more than a campaign rally. It was a carnival of sorts. What with the flamboyant colours, hilarious displays by comics, huge, intimidating masquerades and the suspense by stilt dancers. The cultural displays, an almost endless parade by various groups – women, youths, traders in age grades, communities and societies, transport workers, Keke-NAPEP operators, different caucuses of the party, all trying frantically to out shine one another. And if course, the boisterous, heavy metal sounds threatening to tear one’s ear-drums all the time.
The deputy governor, Mr Emeka Sibeudu, arrived the venue around 1.30 pm. His arrival was greeted with praise singing and more dancing. The venue was thrown into frenzy around 2.00 pm when Governor Peter Obi arrived in company of the national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh; Obiano and his running mate, Dr Nkem Okeke. Security details had a hectic time controlling the crowd. Obi acknowledged cheers from the surging crowd, which made movement for the smiling governor almost impossible. The team was eventually assisted to get t o the VIP area by a horde of security details. The National Anthem was immediately played, followed by the APGA Anthem, which attracted more passion as the crowd sang it in the Igbo language. The shouts of “Willie for governor” followed. Some of the personalities were then called to the podium to address the gathering and endorse the Obiano’s candidature as the party’s flag bearer.
In the welcome address Sibeudu told the party faithful that, going by the huge crowd, he was sure that the party will win the election. He, however, urged them to go back and preach the gospel of continuity and support for the party.
“This huge crowd is very reassuring. With this type of turn out, one can say that we are sure to win the election. However, I want to appeal to you all not to relent on your oars. Go out there and preach the gospel of continuity to all Anambra people. Our able Governor Peter Obi has done well. The party has done well; it has moved Anambra State from where it was before to a higher realm. Our party is our hope for the future. We have the most credible and the most accomplished candidate. Tell others about Dr Willie Obiano. And on the election day, go out there and cast your vote for APGA. Vote for Obiano and vote for continuity. He is our candidate”, he said.
Hon Uche Ekwenife, who is the Leader of Anambra State caucus in the House of Representatives, described the gathering as a sign of the victory that will be celebrated after the election. She called on the teeming supporters to vote for the party’s candidate.
“We are here to tell you that we are all strongly in support of the candidature of Dr Willie Obiano. The party belongs to all of us and we cannot allow it to be defeated. We must all work hard and ensure that the party retains power come November 16, after which we will all celebrate just like we are doing now”, she said
Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, scion of the Ikemba Nnewi; and Senator Chris Anyanwu from Imo State also called for continuity. Anyanwu said that APGA is not dead as being insinuated. She spoke on danger of losing the state by the party and the need to work hard for success at the election.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Princess Chinwe Nwaebili, endorsed the candidature of Obiano using the parliamentary method of passing resolutions or motions. Surrounded by other members of the House on the podium, she introduced them one after the other. She said: “success without a successor is a failure. We believe in continuity. That is why we are here to show you the man who is capable of continuing the good work of our dear governor”. After announcing Obiano as the candidate she called for a voice vote, asking those who are in support to say ‘yes’. She had hardly finished when a thunderous “aye” resonated across the venue, even by non-parliamentarians. She equally called on those who were against it to signify by saying ‘nay’. A muffled nay sound was heard. And she quickly demonstrated the banging of the gavel with her hand, declaring in the process “the ayes have it.”
Umeh described the party’s campaign as ‘operation osmosis’. He said the strength of the party, the good will it enjoys, and the performance of Governor Obi in the last seven and a half years have all combined to put the party in a position of leadership. According to him, politicians like to identify with stronger parties, adding that the APGA has been receiving many defectors from weak, small, medium and even seemingly established parties in the state. He assured that Obiano will build on the foundation that has been laid by Obi. He jokingly asked Obiano, if he would do that or not? Obiano replied that he will not disappoint the party and the people.
Obi said the party has picked the best man for the job. He said the party “found in Obiano, a man that will continue with the good work, a credible, urbane, humanistic and humble individual, who has achieved profound success in his career just as he is also a distinguished administrator”. Obi reeled out the projects that the APGA, under his watch as governor had carried out.
The shouts of Willie, Willie, Willie rented the air. Obiano, in his speech, praised Obi’s policies, saying they are yielding tremendous fruits. He also assured that he would expand on them.
Obiano said he was ready to sustain the legacy of the Obi administration. “I will continue the good work. I will not disappoint you or the people or the party. In fact, I will try and do better. I will mechanize agriculture; ensure that there are industries for manufacturing. Our children in primary and secondary schools will enjoy free education; there will be free health care for our adults, pregnant and nursing mothers, too. Therefore, make sure you vote and guide your votes on November 16”, he said.
Speaking to The Nation, APGA leader in Orumba North Local Government, Chief Okey Ezibe, said the people are willing to retain APGA in power. He said the election, which is less than a month away, would be favourable to the party.
“We are very confident of victory. This is Anambra State and the party is well entrenched here. You can see for yourself. The people are going to return APGA to power. The governor has done very well. He is the most prudent governor in the whole country. The projects are for the masses. The candidate is a special person. He is an accomplished individual and humble. He is well educated; he knows the needs of the state and how to tackle them. He also has a running mate, who holds a Ph.D in Monetary Economics, I mean Dr. Okeke. He is a senior lecturer in the university. They are ready to serve our people, our state and the people will give them the opportunity, I am very sure”, he added.
Also, Dubem Obaze, who was Commissioner for Local Governmen, expressed optimism about the chances of the party. He said the party has done so much for the state and the election should be a pay back time.
“APGA has given Anambra State a governor, who has been able to judiciously manage its resources in the person of Governor Peter Obi. But for him and the party, the state would not have recorded the noble achievements. It is our party, we know the people, the people know us, we are all one and on that day, Anambra people will speak and speak very loud and clear that APGA is their party”, he said.
Mr Emeka Nwosu, a chairmanship aspirant for Awka South Local Government Area, and the chairman of the Aspirants’ Forum in APGA said APGA is in a pole position to clinch the governorship election.
Obi said the party is the people’s party and nobody should be afraid, adding that he was sure that the campaign was a mere formality. Those at the rally endorsed the candidature of Willie Obiano. Different groups, such as the Hausa and Yoruba communities, Traders, all the President Generals in the 177 communities in Anambra State, students and youth bodies.
Some of the dignitaries at the rally included the Chairman of the APGA Board of Trustees, Dr Tim Menakaya, State Chairman of the APGA, Chief Mike Kwentor, Chief Emeka Ojukwu Jnr, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Hon Uche Ekwenife, Commissioners, APGA national and state lawmakers, Ifeanyi Chukwu Enemchukwu, Ambassador Odi Nwosu, Okey Udeh, Chinedu Eluemunoh, Nollywood members led by Bob-Manuel Udoku, among others.
However, while the APGA is beating the drums of continuity, other parties are chanting the songs of change. Will there be a change in 2014 or will APGA continue to occupy it? The answer will be known in less than a month from now.
