From Chuks Collins, Awka
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The political space for the Anambra state 2014 governorship poll is surely getting crowded daily.
Though only a few of the aspirants could confirm their intentions, even as new entrants keep squealing on it daily, the ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has indicated his interest to vie.
Also, Senator Annie Okonkwo who represented the Central district during the last Senate; as well as Chief Tony Nnacheta, a finance expert and former aspirant has signified their interest too.
Prof Soludo who is presently overseas, in a telephone interview yesterday admitted that he was already making wide consultations among the various segments of the state’s electorate. This, according to him was with a view to making open and formal his aspiration; “but for now, I am at the point of consultations.
“We are looking at it critically. You know am still the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). If I am going to contest, it will be on the party’s ticket”, the versatile economist told our reporter on phone yesterday.
It would be remembered that Prof Soludo who is the immediate past governor of the CBN flew the flag of the PDP in the Feb 6, 2010 governorship election in the state but was beaten to the third position, after the incumbent, Mr Peter Obi and Senator Chris Ngige.
Senator Okonkwo, one of the leading All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftains to the on-going merger talks with other equally progressive-minded politicians from parts of the country which has resulted in the formation of All Progressives Congress(APC), has revealed of his intention to vie too.
He had in a recent maiden Youth Summit in the state indicated that it was time the citizens put hands together to elect a committed democrat who would carry the entire citizen along. He urged the electorate to give their full support to him for a remarkable change.
Chief Tony Nnacheta, a three times Senatorial candidate and former governorship aspirant of the PDP, with versatile political pedigree confirmed his intentions to contest. But he admitted to be currently deeply engaged in consultations. That he would soon make a public declaration. He said he was blessed with a wide and attractive political bridges and human relationship across the three geopolitical zones, to see him through any time.
Already Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo, a reported close confidant of President Goodluck Jonathan and his aide has declared his intention to vie for the state’s number one citizenship seat. He is reputed to be a great tactician hence the president’s firm hold on him since his days at the Bayelsa Government House. Both were also said to be class mates, and know each other very closely.
While Soludo is from Isuofia, Aguata LGA in South senatorial zone; Senator Okonkwo from Ojoto in Idemili South LGA in Central zone, Nnacheta from Awkuzu, Oyi LGA in North zone and Akachukwu from Okija, Ihiala LGA in South zone, governor Obi is favoured to seeing someone from the North zone succeed him.
So far, indications from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows the election would be held on or Nov 16, 2013, while the swearing in would be around March 17, 2014. Some others including Dr Alex Obiogbolu(North), Dr Hygers Ifeanyi Igwebike (South) and Chief Basil Iwuoba have already made public their intentions to vie.
