As countdown on the closure of return of nomination forms by the Anambra 2014 gubernatorial aspirants of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) begins, most of them were at the weekend literally lost in most villages and hotels in the state sweating it out with the much needed endorsements.
Again, the Nanka, Orumba North council-born Walter Ubaka Okeke appear miles ahead all other aspirants as the whole 21 council chairmen and other key stakeholders of the party reportedly willingly endorsed the form for him.
Speaking to journalists in Awka yesterday, a member of Okeke’s campaign organization, Chief (Mrs) Ngozi Nwanmuo, Ada Dioranma Isiagu, told journalists that the party members were excited at Okeke’s pedigree, especially his humility.
She pointed out that “the bond of friendship, brotherhood and care Mr Walter Okeke built over the years through his multi-faceted humanitarian activities and buoyed by his painstaking consultative tour of the 326 electoral wards in the state ahead his formal declaration has now counted heavily in his favour”
Mrs Nwanmuo said that the wide acceptance of the aspirant was unprecedented in the contemporary Anambra political history, “apparently because he is a fresh face with a golden heart”.
A retired director in the state civil service and resident of Odekpe in Ogbaru council area of the state, Mrs Josephine Ekwo praised Okeke for making the welfare of the downtrodden his lifestyle. She assured that the coming election would be a test ground for the real grassroots candidates, and Walter is always miles ahead”, she added.
Okeke in a telephone interview admitted that his humble upbringing and background never prepared him for a loud lifestyle. And that he believes so much in the human family and neighbourly relationship.
He said he wished to use the position of governor when elected to touch every citizen directly or indirectly positively and permanently. The British-trained and certified accountant listed human capital development, sanitation/erosion control, healthcare, ICT-driven education, agric revolution and massive social infrastructure development as key focus of his administration when elected.
He confirmed he has returned his completed and fully endorsed nomination forms to the party national secretariat, in readiness for the formal screening and other security checks.
Okeke who said that he sees the position of governor as a call to service, thanked all the other aspirants including members of other parties and urged them to play by the rules in the interest of the people and posterity.
Curiously, it was only about 14 out of the 27 aspirants who picked the expression of interest forms that were able to pay the N10m for the nomination forms. They included Walter Okeke, Obinna Uzor, Akachukwu Nwamkpo, Josephine Anenih, Alex Obiogbolu, Tony Nwoye, Jerry Ugokwe and Ugochukwu Okeke. Others were Andy Uba, Emma Anosike, Ugboma Patrick, Krema Agepe, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Sylvester Okonkwo
At the time of filing this report yesterday, many were still seen making frantic efforts in Awka, through phone calls to all manner of people including secondary school students to endorse their forms, even for a fee. Despite all the dangled carrots, only few people were interested.
One notable politician in the state, Chief Ozo Igwedibia wondered aloud to the shock of others, ‘in the end we shall know where all these professional political office seekers will go with their forms. Let the party headquarters ask them where they were when their council chairmen decided to rush to sign for others willingly. More so, let them explain what their relationships with their chairmen were like before now. Most of them never knew their party members but only rush home to gather some hungry fellows at election time to chat”, he fumed.
