By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The former Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief of Protocol to ex-governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Mr. Uzuegbuna Okagbue, has stated that he did not benefit from any loot throughout his eight years in office under the immediate-past administration.
Recall that his principal, Chief Obiano, was recently arrested at a Lagos airport by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, over alleged misappropriation of public fund; but was eventually released on bail after barely one week in the Commission’s custody.
Fielding questions from journalists in Awka, Anambra State capital, Mr. Okagbue, a prominent member of the administration and a Senatorial aspirant for the Anambra Central senatorial zone in the forthcoming general election under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), testified that he did benefit from the Government of Anambra State, but did not benefit from any loot, if at all one can assert there was any loot.
He said: “If you ask if I benefited from the government of Anambra, yes, I did benefit from the Government of Anambra State; but I didn’t benefit from any loot.”
He further noted that Anambra State witnessed massive infrastructural development, like never before, under the 8-year administration of Chief Sir Willie Obiano in the state, the evidences of which, he said, abound in different parts of the state.
On his senatorial ambition and what he will do differently from those before him, Mr. Okagbue, popularly known as Uzu, said he will represent the zone differently.
He explained his recent interactions with the people of the zone reveal that Anambra Central hasn’t been very appropriately represented, as those who have represented the district are only known for hosting town hall meeting during electioneering campaigns. He, however, pledged to hold periodic interaction with all the communities that make up the zone, if elected.
He said: “I will represent my people differently. I will revert back to them on quarterly basis, to know what their needs are, put things together and make the presentation at the Red Chamber.
“I will also ensure that, beyond myself, I will lobby other members of the Red Chamber to support the presentation and ensure that the bill is passed into law.”
On his chances of emerging as the party’s senatorial flag bearer in the zone where there are also other top-notch political bigwigs jostling for the party’s ticket in the zone, Uzu acknowledged that the ticket is being keenly contested in Anambra Central like never before; even as he noted that the choice of who will eventually fly the ticket lies with the delegates.
Regarding his plans for the people of Anambra Central if elected, he summed them up under quality representation.
“Quality representation! That is what I will give to them. I am strongly assuring them of quality representation, exactly the same way I have done my job in the last eight years,” he said.
Recall that Uzu had recently picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, at the APGA National Headquarters; while Chief Victor Umeh, who was a two-term National Chairman of APGA, former Senator of the zone and Director General of Obiano’s reelection campaign in 2017; and the member representing Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo, have also purchased the same form to vie for the same senatorial seat under the same platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance.
