By Kingsley Ubani
…Ekwunife Says As She Meets Anambra North PDP Stakeholders, Seeks their support ahead of the 2021 Governorship election
The quintessential Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District and frontline Governorship Aspirant for the 2021 Governorship election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) on Sunday January 3, 2021 met with Stakeholders of the party in Anambra North. The meeting was hosted by Dr Okey Umeano in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Before the meeting which was called in furtherance to Senator Ekwunife’s aspiration to contest for the 2021 Anambra Governorship election, the Senator paid a courtesy visit to a respected political stakeholder and elder statesman, High Chief Frank Oramulu (Ezemmuo Awkuzu) who in his remark described Ekwunife as a politician whose capacity and capability to deliver is known to all and sundry. He lauded the Senator for her efforts in the Senate, which is visibly seen and felt by the people and stated that she is very qualified to be the next Governor of the State.
Arriving the venue of the Stakeholders meeting, Ekwunife who was accompanied by PDP Chieftains, Anambra State 2019 PDP House of Assembly Candidates and some of her Campaign Directors and Coordinators, described her intention to contest the next Governorship election as one inspired by the fact that her understanding of the State’s political system and developmental challenges, coupled with her established records of performance put her in a better position to manage the State and deliver the much needed dividends of democracy to Ndi Anambra.
She urged PDP party men and women to in choosing their candidate for the Governorship election consider the personality, antecedents and capacity of the individual, reiterating her resolve to establish the party as a party of choice for Ndi Anambra if she emerges as the Candidate, and is subsequently elected as Governor.
Speaking further, Ekwunife stated that her government will ensure the conduct of Local Government election within one year in office. She reiterated that her administration will reduce the cost of governance to its barest minimum and make community development a priority.
In his remark, the host Dr Okey Umeano stated that 2021 presents an opportunity for the party to correct its mistakes which can be traced back to 2003. He noted that for PDP to return to power they must choose a candidate like Ekwunife who is on ground and has impacted the lives of many in the State, and urged party delegates to choose a candidate whose capacity is well established.
On his part, Pandola Okwuose, a Former State Chairman of PDP described Senator Ekwunife as a grassroots politician who is more than capable of delivering the Governorship seat of the State to the party. He called on delegates to make the right choice with Ekwunife.
In their separate speeches, the member representing Anaocha I State Constituency, Hon Ebele Ejiofor and Chief Nwene Ignay
(Agbalanze Awkuzu) affirmed Senator Ekwunife’s capacity to lead PDP to Agu Awka.
The meeting ended with the Former Chairman of ASUBEB, Dr Rose Nwankwo and the Project Manager Anambra Central, Mrs Ify Chinwuko giving tales of Ekwunife’s accomplishments in both her hometown Igboukwu and her Senatorial District, Anambra Central amidst a unanimous affirmation by the Stakeholders that Senator Ekwunife is their candidate of choice.
The meeting was notably graced by the following, PDP Vice Chairman Anambra North, Chief Francis Udeoba, the State Deputy Chairman PDP, Comrade Okey Asolo, PDP Chairmen of the 7 Local Governments in Anambra North: Samuel Ozoekwe (Anambra West), Chucks Onyeizugbe (Onitsha South), Bonny Okoye (Anyamelum), Azubuike Adiakosa (Ogbaru), Engr Emeka Agulue (Oyi), Comrade Johnson Merekam (Anambra East) Engr Nkiruka (Onitsha North), Former State House of Assembly Member, Hon Benson Mgbaike, Chairman Senator Uche Ekwunife Campaign Organization (SUECO), Ichie Edwin Ubboh, Director General SUECO, Chief A. A Anagu, Hon Ezioke Nzube, Ichie Daniel Nwabueze (Agbaigwe Ogbalu).
Others include, Former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Ken Arinze, Former Commissioner for Women Affairs Anambra State, Lady Henrietta Agbata, Former Accountant General of Anambra State, Mrs Helen Nwaeri and others. PDP 2019 State Assembly Candidates present include, Hon Emeka Vincent Igwe, Hon Prestige Ugochukwu Okafor, Hon Moses Chigozie Anene, Hon Emeka Nwokedi, Hon Charles Chidubem Okoye, Hon Patrick Okafor, Hon Elijah Okafor, Hon Paul Anyaegbunam, Hon Ejike Umeorjiako, Hon Jude Umennajiego and Hon Nnamdi Anakwe-Chive.