From Osiberoha Osibe, Awka
The former governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi has rekindled fresh battle against the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh vowing to work for the victory of Senator Uche Ekwunife whose election into the Anambra Central Senatorial District was nullified.
Chief Obi spoke at a Stakeholders Meeting of the District on the occasion of Town Hall Meeting/Breakfast organized by Senator Ekwunife at Marble Arch Hotel, Awka, Tuesday, December 29, 2015 said it was high time Ndigbo played mainstream politics to be able to jostle for collective benefits due to Ndigbo.
Speaking at the Forum, former governor Obi who hailed Ekwunife for securing juicy Senate Chairmanship on Petroleum Downstream Sector pointed out that the State deserves best candidate to the National Assembly who should be notable actors instead of spectators to be able to get the fair share of Ndigbo from the National Cake.
“We need somebody that is strong Senator at the Centre. Ume will be a spectator at the Senate. Senate does not need neither multiple title holders nor long traditional cap wearers who rather than stay in Abuja runs down to Anambra State every weekend. Umeh has worn long traditional cap for years without achiving anything.. I am not contesting for any position but what I do is where there is good leader, I give my total support. We need somebody who is strong in the caliber of Uche. She will win. Those who caused the nullification made a great mistake.”
He expressed worry that the Court of Appeal faulted only Uche Ekwunife’s nomination whereas same party and primary conducted for her fellow Senators, Andy Ubah (Anambra South) and Stella Oduah (Anambra North) were upheld by the same Court of Appeal.
Chief Obi believed that Ekwunife is a better candidate and deserves to return to the Senate to be able to recover the Senate Chairmanship post on Petroleum Downstream adding that when he was a governor, Ekwunife helped to facilitate N2.1 billion projects .for the State.
Earlier in her welcome address, Senator Ekwunife noted that she is a better candidate for the seat having been a former House of Representatives member for Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal constituency for two terms of 8 years and stayed in Senate for 6 months, adding she would be a ranking Senator if re-elected while Umeh would go as an antagonistic lone voice without supporting party base.
She stated that she had within the brief stint of two active months out of 6 stormy Senate session been able to move motion against incessant harassment of traders by Customs officials, bill on Independent National Electoral Commission to handle Local Government elections to ensure financial autonomy of the electoral body,
While debunking the rumour that she like PDP was disqualified by the Court Appeal, Ekwunife said she and Umeh are the major contestant in the forthcoming fresh election, and accused her opponent (Umeh) who she described as a very unlucky person because she is in the system and in the race of being jittery and incapable of facing election.
In a communique read by Kenneth Enemuo and seconded by Hon. Ben Oranusi, the Stakeholders appreciated the account of stewardship rendered by Senator Ekwunife during her brief stay in the Senate with regard to clinching the post of the Senate Committee Chairman on Petroleum Downstream.
The communiqué also expressed happiness that Senator Ekwunife had secured appointments for several persons within the period under review, moved many motions beneficial to Ndigbo and supplied hospital equipment to 50 health centres and by so doing proved that no other persons would perform better.
The statement expressed worry that the Court of Appeal stated that Ekwunife won but went ahead to nullify the election through which she won and upheld similar elections her colleagues won like her.
The Stakeholders in the communique resolved that the mandate freely given to Senator Ekwunife would be restored without intimidation or compromise, “notwithstanding actions and inactions of pretenders.”
The meeting attracted PDP bigwigs including former Senator Ben Obi, House of Representatives member for Awka North and South federal constituency, 40 former House of Assembly members, 45 former members of the State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, town union leaders and women leaders as well as party supporters from Awka North and South, Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia, and Idemili North and South federal constituencies as well as factional Chairman of APGA, Chief Shedrack Anakwue, among others.
