With two months remaining to the Election Day in Anambra State gubernatorial exercise, the gubernatorial candidates appear settled on their choice of running mates.
Loading ...The Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] gubernatorial candidate, Oseloka Obaze made his choice public today. He picked the first daughter of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the former vice president of Nigeria – in the person of Barrister Chidi Onyemelukwe. The All Progressive Congress [APC] gubernatorial candidate, Tony Nwoye made his choice for running mate public earlier in the week. He picked the son of Dr. Dozie Ikedife, a former president of Ohaneze and a scribe of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra [IPOB] – in the person of Dozie Ikedife [Jnr]. The United Progressive Party [UPP] gubernatorial candidate, Osita Chidoka had selected a United States based technocrat as running mate – in the person of Mr. Okeke.
The selection of the daughter of Dr. Alex Ekwueme threw concern to some political quarters. Persons close to the former governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi had stated that Chief Peter Obi made the selection with the sole objective to court Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s support.
Our source indicates that Chief Peter Obi had met with the former vice president concerning supporting the Oseloka Obaze candidacy under the PDP. The former vice President responded that he had already endorsed the incumbent governor. He mentioned that he gave his endorsement in the company of representatives of three local government areas – Orumba North, Orumba South and Aguata – under the umbrella of Old Aguata Union [OAU].
With the announcement of the daughter as running mate, the former vice president restated his commitment to the Willie Obiano administration. “I have already endorsed Obiano. My daughter is an adult and is grown enough to make her own decisions”.
Commenting on the selection of Ekwueme’s daughter is the National chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA], Dr. Victor Oye. “Peter Obi is wasting his time. In any case, let us tell one another the truth: Is Peter Obi standing for election? The answer is capital NO. But on the other hand is seeking a third term as governor by picking a lackey to run on PDP ticket. The choice of the daughter of elder statesman, Alex Ekwueme, was made to spite Alex Ekwueme and put the old man in a quandary. Being the experienced politician he is I am confident Ekwueme will stick to his earlier endorsement of Willie Obiano for a second term. His daughter is old enough to know what is right and wrong. To be frank, no matter whoever Peter Obi chooses to pair with Oseloka Obaze can never change anything. Oseloka Obaze lacks what it takes to govern a complex state as Anambra. Sentiments apart, governing Anambra State requires a person with exceptional dexterity, humility, transparency, open-mindedness, acuity, urbaneness and soundness of mind, which Obiano possesses in large quantity. Nobody should deceive anybody: Anambrarians are wise enough to choose between a serious-minded leader and a pretender. November 18, 2017 will tell.”
Meanwhile, in a related development, a source from the Old Aguata Block told 247ureports.com that prior to Peter Obi’s selection of Mrs. Onyemelukwe, he had held a closed door meeting where he promised him the position of running mate. But “he changed his mind”.
The source indicates that when he pressed on Peter Obi on why he promised and then failed. Peter Obi responded that the position of deputy governor means nothing “it’s worthless and without portfolio”. The source continued to add that Peter Obi explained that during his tenure the Etiaba’s had little portfolio. “Dubem Obaze was one with the power”. The source indicates that Peter Obi told him to let go of the position of deputy governor – that there are other more lucrative positions.
