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Tag: Nwoye

  • Enugu-Onitsha road: Nwoye gets Fashola to order contractors back to site

    Enugu-Onitsha road: Nwoye gets Fashola to order contractors back to site

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has expressed delight over the decision of the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to move to the site of the abandoned Onitsha–Enugu Expressway.

    Speaking after a visit to the ministry in Abuja, Nwoye said it had ordered the contractor to resume work on the road, which had been abandoned for some time.

    “I have the assurance of the minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN) that the contractors would move to site within two days,” Nwoye was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman Nonso Madu.

    He added: “Even before I became the candidate of the APC, that road had been on my agenda. It was by God’s grace and with the assistance of my colleagues in the House of Representatives I was able to facilitate its inclusion in the 2017 budget of the Federal Government.

    “The importance of that road to the socio-economic well-being of the people of the Southeast cannot be overemphasised. It is my hope that once the road is completed that business and other socio-economic affairs that had been affected by its terrible conditions would be boosted.he statement noted that Dr. Nwoye met Fashola and made the demands because of the platform he had as APC candidate.”

    He said: “The minister received me because I was the central player who pushed the project into the 2017 budget and because I have an enhanced platform as a governorship candidate. For this, I am grateful to the people and to the minister.

    “This is also a demonstration to all those who have confidence in our political project that as governor I would be able to do more for our people.”

     

     

  • ‘ Nwoye ‘ll spring surprise’

    ‘ Nwoye ‘ll spring surprise’

    In this piece, Azuka Okwusa highlights the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr. Tony Nwoye, at the November 18 poll.

    The campaign flag-off by Dr. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State, was a shock to many. The massive turnout of supporters who came to identify with Dr. Nwoye at the flag-off was a surprise.

    Mainstream and social media have been agog with the outpouring of support for Nwoye. This is because people came from far and near to the commercial city of Onitsha to identify with the flag-off of the campaign to remove a non-performing governor.

    Of course, we have seen campaign flag-offs by the other political parties. Not even the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, despite the efforts of contractors and paid and unpaid volunteers, was able to compare with what was seen in Onitsha last Friday at the open field of the All Saints Cathedral Field.

    The mobilisation was also near spontaneous, as not much time was given for the mobilisation. Even more shocking was that many of the people who thronged the campaign venue and waited for hours before the dignitaries started arriving. Traders, artisans and ordinary people made the sacrifice of temporarily setting aside their businesses in their vow to identify with the man who has also for long identified with them.

    Skeptics who had convinced themselves that the APC on account of its limited showing in the last elections would not attract support were demystified by the outpouring of the crowd.

    For those of us who were there and even for those who could not come, the huge turnout and happenings at the rally have compelled me to serve out the takeaways from the event.

    Number One Takeaway: Dr. Nwoye is a fitting candidate for the APC in the forthcoming election. Dr. Nwoye from his early days in politics and students activism had developed a kind of rapport for which Ndi Anambra are now willing to accept as a replacement for the present and failed governor of the state. The affirmation of his candidature by about 11 of his fellow contestants for the APC ticket shows the degree of acceptance he has.

    Number Two Takeaway: Dr. Nwoye by his bold assertion to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo requesting him to order contractors back to the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway shows that he is one who can speak on behalf of his people at the federal level. If Dr. Nwoye would in public speak for his people, why would he not even do more in private when the needs of his people are at stake? Dr. Nwoye’s interest in the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway is further demonstrated by the fact that he spearheaded the insertion of the project in the 2017 federal budget without many people knowing. So, he has through the Onitsha-Enugu expressway shown what he can do quietly and when quiet actions do not work, that he can also canvass the interest of Ndi Anambra publicly.

    Obiano has had several engagements with the federal authorities and we dare say he has not been bold enough to broach the touchy issue.

    Dr. Nwoye would not be found drinking or dancing when issues bordering on the needs of his people are at stake.

    Number Three Takeaway: When it comes to this election, Ndi Anambra are set to put aside sentiments and propaganda in choosing who will be their governor. No one is going to cover their eyes with ethnic or religious propaganda as to the political platforms. Obiano’s scheme to use our felt grievances and to ride upon our pains to sustain his regime of bad governance has simply failed. Our eyes are opened to the reality that the worst pain is that inflicted by a brother as Obiano has done to us through his callous acts of poor governance.

    Number Four Takeaway: The issues in the election are local. The people are asking what the Obiano-led APGA government did with more than N20 billion of local government funds and N13 billion Paris Club refunds it received. Not to talk of billions of statutory allocation from and internally generated revenue. We will also ask what he did with the more than N75 billion savings Obiano collected from his predecessor.

    As the evidence is there with bank papers, he has the issue of credibility now facing him.

    Number Five Takeaway: Obiano’s propaganda machine is crumbling. The huge turnout by Ndi Anambra for the flag off showed that our people have seen through the lies and deceits of the outgoing government. Our people who import yam from Benue State and Taraba State are angry over claims that we are exporting billions of naira of yam overseas. Why rub our pain on us Governor Obiano? You have not provided the machinery for the agricultural revolution of our state and you are rubbing the insult on us? Our people who cultivate Ugu on a household scale have seen your lies and are asking where in Anambra State did you cultivate the billions of naira of ugu that you claimed to have exported? Where? Even more, international institutions who ordinarily would come to help our farmers would move elsewhere believing that we are already equipped not knowing that your agricultural exports are framed in fantasy!

    These are among my takeaways from the flag off.

  • Nwoye to entrench agric in Ananbra

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the November 18 election in Anambra State, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has promised to entrench an agricultural policy that will help the people develop their interests in commercial farming.

    The APC candidate said the policy will use resources from local and international development institutions.

    In a statement in Awka, the state capital, by his campaign organisation, Nwoye pledged to replace the current “regime of deceit”, which he said has become the mainstay of the current administration, with concrete efforts that will develop farmers and farms across the state.

    The statement by the Chairman of Media Sub-committee, Nonso Madu, challenged the Willie Obiano administration to show where it harvested the Ugu and Onugbu it claimed to have exported in January, 2016.

    It added: “Obiano, while meeting with Ndi Anambra in July, 2016, at Transcorp Hotel, was quoted by the newspapers to have said that his government exported $5 million worth of vegetables. Now, he should show us where the vegetables were grown.

    “It is most insensitive for a governor to tell lies.

    “Even worse: agricultural institutions and development partners, who ordinarily should assist our farmers, will not as they have been told by our government that they are doing well.

    “Ndi Anambra have suffered enough under the Willie Obiano government, and his lies, aimed at boosting his ego, are at the detriment of our people.

    “Under a Tony Nwoye administration, our needs will be showcased to developmental institutions, which would be encouraged to partner the state to enhance the agricultural output of the state.”

     

  • Anambra: APC, youths and Nwoye factor

    Ahead of Anambra November 18 governorship election, candidates of 37 political parties and their running mates have emerged. There are contenders, but great majority are pretenders in the race. There are parties to watch and parties to mock. Among the three senatorial zones in the state-North, South and Central, the North holds the ace, having produced candidates of the major parties in the election-All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    While the candidates of APGA, Willie Obiano and that of the PDP Oseloka Obazee are of the old political order in the state that needed to be changed, that of the APC, Tony Nwoye is a paradigm shift from the old order. Nwoye’s emergence and overwhelming victory in the primary signalled a new order in the politics of the state. It is a true manifestation of his acceptability in the state, especially among the youths in the grassroots, who are the majority voters. Coming at a time, the National Assembly is considering a bill on “Not Too Young to Run” is quite timely.

    Luckily for the people of the state and entire Igbo land, the choice of Nwoye at a time the South-east zone is in dire need of reconnecting with the “centre” is a blessing in disguise. This is because Nwoye’s victory in the forthcoming election will serve as a huge vehicle to take the zone to the centre ahead of 2019, when other states in the zone will definitely join the moving train there in 2019. This will not only give the people of South-east complete sense of belonging politically, they will have their due share.

    With Nwoye’s leadership records and achievements over the years, he has shown that he is a leader to be trusted with huge responsibility any day, any time, especially when it has to do with his home state Anambra. This is where Nwoye was born and brought up and has always identifed with his people, especially in time of need.

    Nwoye’s giant strides in leadership are not a thing of today. It began at a time not many medical students in the university delve into Students Union Government (SUG) politics because of the enormity of their academic and practical schedules, but Nwoye braved the odds.

    Asa junior student at University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), he maturely led members of the University of Nigeria’s Medical Association (UNMSA), to pressure the university authority to lift the ban on students’ unionism after many years of ban. He later won a seat to represent the medical students in the student’s union House of Representatives. From there, he contested and won the Speakership of S.U.G House of Representatives, becoming the first medical student to serve in that capacity in the history of university.

    Not resting on his oars, with his always-ready-to serve-or-lead attitude, huge leadership responsibility beckoned on him in 2003, when against all odds, he was elected National President of National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS). That was how he became the first Igbo man to occupy the position till date.

    Realising the need to maximise his leadership qualities as a vibrant youth, the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State elected him Assistant Secretary of the party in 2005. Following his exemplary performance, he was made the substantive chairman of PDP in 2006 at the age of 21. It was under his leadership that PDP won majority of the seats in state and National Assembly elections in 2007.

    Having provided leadership that was embedded in strength of character, Nwoye was invited by his people to contest House of Representatives in 2011. He contested and was massively voted for only for some forces of darkness within and outside the state to connive and thwart the peoples’ wish by declaring another person winner of the election. Nwoye and his people fought the injustice in court and his stolen mandate was returned to him.

    It is of note to also recall that in line with the confidence and trust the people had in him, Nwoye emerged the PDP governorship candidate in 2013 election. This was despite a protracted legal tussle between him and other bigwigs in the party over the ticket. It took a high level conspiracy between the then APGA-led government of Peter Obi in the state, President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency and other external forces to influence the election in favour of Obi’s now estranged godson and incumbent governor, Willie Obiano. Nwoye emerged second runner up.

    It was in compensation of the injustice meted to Nwoye in 2013 that made his people to re-elect him into House of Representatives in 2015. Having seen that PDP has lost its original vision, coupled with the leadership crisis that hit the party, Nwoye consulted his people who advised him to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and serve them better. That was how and why Nwoye defected to APC.

    With the wealth of practical leadership experiences that spanned over a decade, there is no doubt that Nwoye is the man to beat in the election. Nwoye stands shoulder high above all other candidates in the race, including the duo of Obaze and Obiano, who are offshoots of Obi’s shaky political dynasty. APC’s choice of him was not by accident, but popularity, quality and grassroots-based. Nwoye represents hope for youths in the leadership of Nigeria.

    So far, Nwoye has proven that age is just a game of number in leadership. With the way events are unfolding in the state ahead of the election, it appears the people of Anambra have decided to effect leadership change that will place governance in the state on the shoulder of a viable and accessible youth like Nwoye. This is also in fulfilment of the saying that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow. Nwoye’s success story in the leadership positions before now raise hope that being given a higher responsibility of governor, he will serve better and selflessly for humanity.

    Nwoye is not only a consummate leader and tactical politician; he is a medical doctor, who decided to suspend practice for a while to serve his people, having seen that leadership challenge has become a recurring decimal. With Nwoye as a leading candidate in the poll, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the APC, youths and people of Anambra State.

     

    • Chimanya, a cleric wrote Awka, Anambra State.

  • 20,000 agric jobs coming, says Nwoye

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has hailed the state’s youths for supporting his candidacy.

    The politician pledged to reward their encouragement with youth empowerment policies.

    Among the policies for youth empowerment, Nwoye said, is to create at least 20,000 new jobs in the Agriculture sector.

    In a statement by his campaign office, the former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) expressed delight at the strong enthusiasm the state’s youths showed for his aspiration.

    He noted the efforts of some youths to testify before the APC Anambra Appeals Committee in Abuja when his election was challenged.

    Nwoye said: “I have seen the love and warmth of Ndi Anambra and particularly the youths in this our mission in rebuilding our dear state. This enthusiasm will surely be reciprocated through our programmes to empower the youths of the state.

    “While I have programmes to boost education to ensure that all Anambarians achieve their educational desires, it is my pleasure to reveal that under our agriculture programme, at least 20,000 new jobs will be created in agriculture.

  • Ex-minister implicated in plot against Nwoye

    Ex-minister implicated in plot against Nwoye

    A former Minister has been fingered in the attempt to coordinate a ‘deal’ to nullify the results of the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Anambra State.

    The ex-powerful minister, who is from the North, has been lobbying members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and working in cahoots with Abuja Forces to drop the elected governorship candidate, Hon. Tony Nwoye for Sen. Andy Uba.

    But the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, who conducted the primaries, may cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia to brief President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on how he conducted a transparent governorship primary election in Anambra.

    Shettima was said to be disturbed by the plot to discredit the primaries and nullify Nwoye’s election.

    A reliable party source, who briefed our correspondent, said: “A deal to annul the APC primaries in Anambra is already being hatched.

    “A former Minister is working in concert with some members of the National Working Committee(NWC), ranking Senators and members of the House of Representatives and some Abuja Forces to drop the party’s elected candidate, Hon. Tony Nwoye for Sen. Andy Uba.

    “The ex-Minister has opened discussions with NWC members and other stakeholders on why Andy Uba must be made the party’s candidate. He has been hiding under the guise of Uba being an alleged electoral asset to the party.

    “But unknown to many APC leaders, the overall game plan is to secure Anambra State ahead of the defection of many to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) after November 18 poll.

    “I can tell you that what is happening is that some powerful politicians in the PDP and in the National Assembly, who are more comfortable with Uba want him to contest against Governor Obiano with the hope that once he wins, he would return to the PDP, from where he crossed over to the APC early this year,” the source explained.

    Meanwhile, there were indications that Governor Kashim Shettima might cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia to brief President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on how the governorship primary election was conducted, won and lost in Anambra State.

    A source close to the governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “Shettima is feeling sad that some Abuja Forces had perfected plans to annul the results of APC primaries in Anambra State.

    “He has insisted that he conducted a free, fair and transparent primary election which was applauded by all candidates and stakeholders.

    “The position of the governor is that it will be against what APC stands for to cancel the outcome of the primaries under any guise.

    “Despite pressure, the governor gave equal opportunity to all the candidates and the voting process was televised live. This backdoor approach will not help the electoral fortunes of APC in Anambra State.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “The governor may cut short his trip to Saudi Arabia to brief President Buhari and the National Chairman of APC, Chief Odigie-Oyegun on how the primaries was conducted.

    “He is also going to present his position on the danger of annulling the election to the electoral chances of APC not only in Anambra but in 2019.”

    But Nwoye has pleaded with the party’s leadership to respect the wishes of APC members in the state.

  • Youths chide Nwoye’s critics

    Youths chide Nwoye’s critics

    Anambra North youths have flayed critics of Dr. Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election.

    At a meeting in Aguleri, the youths deliberated on the emergence of the governorship candidates of the major political parties.

    The leader of the youths, Comrade Tony Obiora Okafor, said:

    “We are using this opportunity to tell the people peddling the rumours of who is sponsoring Dr. Nwoye their claim is unfounded and is being peddled by faceless people he defeated in the election, we welcomed Dr Tony Nwoye’s  candidacy as the governorship flag bearer of APC) in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.

    “We also totally condemn some group of people urging the party, APC to reject Dr. Nwoye, they are faceless, disgruntled boot lickers of unnamed Abuja based cabal in the state, it is also the handiwork of Dr. Nwoye’s enemies who are afraid and envious of his grassroots popularity and acceptance throughout the state.

    “It will be counterproductive for APC to drop Dy Nwoye after he has won the party delegates election that made him the candidate for the election, we will work against anybody that will be presented by the party if the APC leadership listens to these enemies of the party who does not want its growth in Anambra state, they should, therefore, be ignored.”

  • Anambra poll: Nwobodo congratulates Nwoye

    Anambra poll: Nwobodo congratulates Nwoye

    The Chairman of the Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) Govership Election Planning and Strategy Committee, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has congratulated the winner of the primary election, Hon. Tony Nwoye.

    In a statement in Enugu, capital of Enugu State, he urged party to brace up for the governorship  election.

    Nwobodo said: “I watched with keen interest the live transmission of the 2017 All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary for Anambra State, where Dr. Tony Nwoye was declared as the winner with a total of 2,146 votes.

    “I congratulate Dr. Nwoye for the overwhelming mandate.  This is a victory for the APC and all the aspirants for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves at the primary.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to remind all the aspirants of their commitment to support whoever emerges as the party flagbearer. And appeal to you to join Dr. Tony Nwoye and form a formidable campaign team that would secure victory for our party, the APC, in the forthcoming November, 2017, Governorship Election.

    He added: “I also congratulate the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, and his Committee for conducting a free, credible and rancour-free primary in the state, making it the first time any political party would conduct such a transparent and rancour free primary in the state.

    “I wish to congratulate the National Chairman and National Working Committee for making this possible.”

  • Nwoye wins Anambra APC governorship primary

    A member of the House of Representatives, Dr Tony Nwoye, has won Anambra State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary ahead of the November 18 election.

    Nwoye, who represents Anambra East and Anambra West Constituency in the National Assembly, polled 2,146 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Andy Uba, who scored 931 votes in the party’s primary conducted on Saturday.

    The result of the primary was announced yesterday by the Chairman of the state’s APC Governorship Primary Election and Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima at Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.

    The election started on Saturday and extended till about 4.10 p.m yesterday when the result was announced by Shettima after a long period of collation of ballots.

    A breakdown of the result showed that Chief George Muoghalu polled 525 votes to place third, while Ms Adaobi Uchegbu, the only female aspirant, scored one vote.

    The Borno State governor said the total votes cast was 4,332, out of which 4,302 votes were valid and 31 were invalid.

    He noted that the total figure tallied with the number of ballot papers brought by the committee for the election.

    Shettima described the election, which had 12 aspirants as “very tedious” but the “easiest” he had ever taken part in.

    He said: “It was an easy one for us as an umpire because none of the members of the committee has personal interest. That was why we did our best to make the election free, fair and credible.”

    Shettima said the committee resisted overtures from aspirants, which he noted would have adversely affected the outcome of the primary.

    The governor hailed security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their roles at ensuring that the primary was successful.

    He said: “I must thank the security agencies, especially the Commissioner of Police and state’s Director of Department of State Service (DSS).”

    Presenting a copy of the election result to Nwoye, the Borno State governor urged him to ensure that APC wins the November 18 governorship poll.

    In his acceptance speech, Nwoye described the process that led to his victory as “thorough”.

    He pledged to lead the party to victory.

    Nwoye, a medical doctor and former President of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), was born on September 13, 1974.

    He studied Medicine at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka (UNN) and at the Ebonyi State University at Abakaliki.

    The APC candidate hails from Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area, the same area with incumbent Governor Willie Obiano.

    He is a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and its governorship candidate in the 2013 election.

    Nwoye won the election to the National Assembly in 2015 on the platform of the PDP.

  • Nwoye: Why I’m challenging Obiano

    Nwoye: Why I’m challenging Obiano

    Hon. Tony Nwoye represents Anambra East and West Constituency in the House of Respresentatives. He is also a former National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). In this interview with reporters in Awka, the Anambra State capital, Nwoye, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) eight months ago, speaks about his governorship ambition. NWANOSIKE ONU was there.

    How has it been at the National Assembly?
    We have started working seriously on the budget. We are going to add more money on the N14 billion already budgeted for the Second Niger Bridge. I personally ensured that the Enugu-Onitsha, especially the Umunya axis, was captured on the 2017 budget. I am happy that about N8 billion will be appropriated for Anambra section of the road this year. This is a road that had claimed many lives. This is a road that different administrations in the past had campaigned with and did not do anything. The same applies to Anam-Kogi federal road, which is in my constituency. If completed, it will positively impact on the lives of Anambra W3.3.3.333333333est people. I thank God that through the efforts of the chairman of Works Committee, which I am a member, N1 billion has been earmarked for its construction after it was abandoned for over five years. These things would not have been possible if we are not in the APC. Also, my town, Nsugbe, by this March will have most of the roads captured in the budget and they will all be tarred. That is what we call democracy dividend. We are also optimistic that after President Buhari would have completed his second tenure, an Igbo man would become the president of Nigeria.
    Do you support the idea of changing your party’s state executive?
    I don’t support changing anybody. Some people are saying that Tony Nwoye was of the PDP and should not contribute much now. Yes, we were with the PDP yesterday, but we have moved to the APC with all our supporters. The PDP was a party where I was the state chairman, the House of Representatives candidate twice and senatorial candidate. So, I won’t criticise unduly. But, the truth of the matter is that we entered the APC and met the structure on ground. My position is that those officers have been there and should not be changed. Let us allow them to finish their tenure. When their tenure elapses, most of them may even return. So, why are we changing them? These officers are from Anambra and have not benefited much from the party. So, we should support them. I will personally resist any move to change them. If I were to be selfish I would clamour for their removal, so that I will put my people who came with me from the PDP. But, these are people who have been labouring to keep the party together.
    Don’t you think the influx of PDP members in APC will cause trouble in the party?
    No, it would not, because the PDP problem was self induced. The problem was caused by the PDP national leadership. The then PDP Federal Government did not want the PDP to win election in Anambra, because they were supporting APGA to please the then Governor Peter Obi. So, they used few Anambra people to create problem in the PDP. This time around, I believe that the more the merrier. Let more PDP people move into the APC. I believe the APC primary will be free and fair and whoever wins will enjoy the support of others. So, I don’t see what happened in the PDP repeating itself in the APC, which is a disciplined and focused party.
    There are indications that you contesting for the governorship against your brother, Obiano…
    Yes, I am running, but I have not formally declared yet; I will do that in due course. I have consulted widely, but I need to consult more with stakeholders and youths and religious leaders; you know I was a one-time National President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). As long as there is life, I will contest. The only thing that will stop me from contesting is death. I won’t contest based on zoning. I will contest, because I want to bring a change. I want to put food on the tables of the oppressed people of this state, whose local government funds are being deducted with impunity by the APGA-led government. It did not start today. It started in 2005 with impunity, without caring for the welfare of the people. That is why there is so much hunger in all nooks and crannies of the state. I remember the era of zero allocation at the local government level, yet they were doing things that people could see. Councilors were doing minor developments in their wards, but they cannot do it today because the state government is siphoning their funds.
    In fairness, it did not start with Obiano. In fact, that is going to form the crux of our campaign, because we want to change that bad system. The money for the local government should be used to the benefit of the down-trodden. Our campaign will be a mass movement. The APGA people have been dishing out propaganda that the APC is not for Igbo people. When we get to the field, we will tell our people that it is about the individual. Let them stop using APGA. They have used APGA enough to rob Igbos. If APGA is truly an Igbo party, why is it that up till now, it is only in Anambra State? Why is it that in the National Assembly, only two members represented APGA and out of the 109 senators, none was an APGA member? Why is it that since the time of Ojukwu who is the symbol of APGA, they could not win one single state outside Anambra? They have been using it to hold our people down; to siphon our money and we must stop it.
    But with Obiano on the saddle how do you rate your chances?
    Power belongs to God. When I ran for 2011 election, I won massively here. They did not allow me to enter. The same forces said Tony Nwoye should not be sworn in at the House of Representatives and I said no problem. In 2013, I ran for governor and won the PDP ticket, the same forces used Jonathan, the former president, to support APGA. Jonathan did not know Obiano, but he was trying to please Peter Obi. A lot of things happened. They kept me in court and used the then INEC chairman to ensure that I did not campaign because they said I did not pay my tax on time. Less than 11 days to the election, they said I should campaign and it was so late. The aim was to make my supporters to support the APGA candidate, knowing that I am from the same local government with Obiano who later became governor. God gave him power because He is the only one that gives power. Obiano is my brother and ordinarily I am not supported to challenge him because we come from the save clan, but he has failed our people. This is a man who has not put a project of N10000 in my town, apart from the so-called N20 million he gave to every town. And in my town, we are supposed to have benefited from projects worth N350 million because we have calculated what should be our share from the local government allocation since he was sworn in as governor. We are not even talking of allocation from the Federation Account. So how can we not challenge him?
    For this House of Reps where I am, they nearly killed meat the collation center. They stopped results from my town from being added. He brought a candidate from Anambra West and out of 10 electoral wards, I won him in eight. They did everything to stop me and I went to court and the court gave me victory and that is why I am still here. Despite the fact that they added all the results they wrote in Aguleri, today I am in the House of Reps to the glory of God. If God says he will continue to be governor, he will be. But if he is doing well, why should Chinedu Idigo from the same Aguleri, his town, who was chairman of his inauguration committee, be running for governor under PDP? Where is Chinedu in government even? Anambra will decide whether he has done well or not during the next election.
    We have waited for him to come and execute projects in my town, but he has failed to do so. The only tarred road here is the one done by former governor Peter Obi because he signed an undertaking with us that we would support him if he did the road. But my own brother is the governor and he has not done a single project in my town.