The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.
IT is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?
The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Two of them-PDP and APGA – are swimming in unending leadership crises
The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots. They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).
Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.
Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.
But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.
The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.
The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude
Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.
The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.
In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.
Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.
The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene. But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.
Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.
He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.
Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.
He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.
Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.
His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP.
The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.
LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.
The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.
He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.
However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.
Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people. Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.
But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.
Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.
Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.
He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.
More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.
The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.
