ANAMBRA GUBER: Why the desperation? Lagos APC asks APGA

As campaign shifts to beer parlours, news stands…
THE Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, of being desperate to put a good showing in the election.

Lagos APC has also expressed lack of confidence in the panel of enquiry constituted by Governor Peter Obi to probe the recent disaster at the Adoration Ground on account of what it claimed were allegations against the governor over the issue.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos, interim spokesperson of APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe accused Obi of using the night vigil as an avenue to canvass votes for his candidate, Mr. Willie Obaino.

Igbokwe alleged: “We were told that when the vigil turned to a political rally, the congregation began to murmur. We figured that this behavior infuriated the governor’s security details. One thing led to the other and consequently there was stampede and about 30 innocent people died”.

Speaking further, Igbokwe said “Ngige has become a thorn in the flesh and every contestant in Anambra knows this. The fear of Ngige is now the beginning of wisdom in Anambra state. They know that they cannot match Ngige in anything, so their plan is to use propaganda to bring the man to their miserable level.”

According to him, “we want to put the whole world on notice that APGA is getting desperate in this election. The other day, they went to Onitsha to force the traders to close their shops for campaigns. The people resisted and waved the brooms to them. As if that was not enough, they went to town that Senator Ngige slapped a Catholic priest. It took a press conference by the priest in question to debunk their blatant and pathological lies. Both Senator Ngige and Governor Obi are Catholics.”

While commiserating with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the stampede at the Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry in Uke, he wondered why “Chief Umeh is asking for Ngige to be arrested because APGA got their fingers burnt by playing dangerous politics in a church programme.”

Ngige, APC; Obiano, APGA; Nwoye, PDP; Uba, Labour

Lagos APGA mobilizes for Obiano
Lagos state chapter of APGA has set out plans to mobilize Anambra indigenes living in Lagos to travel home and cast their votes for the party’s flag-bearer, Chief Willy Obiano.

The party has also restated its trust in Obiano’s 4C’s Paradigm, which stands for  continuation of all existing projects, completing them, commissioning them and commencement of a fresh set of ground-breaking initiatives that will turn Anambra State into the industrial nerve center of Nigeria.

According to the state Publicity Secretary of APGA, Mr Sanjo Olawuyi, the party is optimistic that Obiano remains the best candidate ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

“Lagos State APGA calls on all the eligible Anambarian voters residing in Lagos State to travel en-masse and perform their civic responsibilities in Anambra State by voting for Chief  Willie Obiano, the Anambra State gubernatorial flag-bearer of APGA because APGA  remains the only political party that exists to preserve the interests of Ndigbo”

“We of Lagos State APGA have concluded plans to massively mobilize all eligible Anambra voters that are residing in Lagos State to travel home in their large numbers and stage house to house campaigns and mobilize their people to vote for Chief Dr. Willie Obiano as the next governor of Anambra State,” he said.

He further maintained, ‘’As part of our support for Chief Obiano, we are donating buses in large numbers for the onward movement of Anambarians to Anambra State between 14th and 15th of November 2013, purposely for the forthcoming governorship elections”

Campaign shifts to beer parlours, news stands
IT has become a common sight in various cities in Anambra State to see people spotting dresses of candidates and buying drinks for people as a means of wooing them to their side.

Usually, they start by comparing the candidates, including their antecedents, their political parties, their popularity in the 21 local government areas and those sponsoring them.

Sometimes, those who do not want to be dragged into the arguments that often ensue would merely leave, while others stay and organize mini parties.

The style at the various news stands is that supporters of a particular candidate to be marketed would begin an argument and later, other people would gather to listen.

Ojukwu’s son pushes for Obiano
First son of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Ojukwu Jnr has embarked on an intensive mobilization for the APGA candidate, Willie Obiano commending him as the only one among the candidates with the suitable pedigree to govern the state.

Ojukwu who spoke to party faithful at Nnewi said:

“There is a political party that has performed; there is a party thathas won the heart of Ndigbo, especially Ndi Anambra, and that party is

APGA. It is not only good enough to look at candidates alone, it is equally good to consider the candidate’s antecedents, look at the party he is coming from, the people who are behind the party and their agenda”.

He continued, “If you look at APGA, your own political party; if you look at Governor Peter Obi and Sir Victor Umeh and their styles of leadership, you’ll understand that they have performed.”

“Anambra State needs somebody that will deliver solutions; a responsible governor, somebody who has the legacy and ability to deliver. My own father, Ikemba handed the leadership of APGA and Anambra State to Peter Obi. During his own time, he did not let Ndigbo down. Peter Obi has done well in the leadership of the state in the

last eight years. Later, he and the leadership of APGA, including myself, found in Dr. Willie Obiano, a worthy successor and the right person to carry on with the legacy. I am encouraged by that choice. “To me, it does not matter where he comes from; what matters to me is his ability to deliver. He has all the qualities needed of a worthy successor of Peter Obi,” Ojukwu said.

NICE births in Anambra for election
Officials of the Nigeria Independent Council of Electorate (NICE) have arrived Anambra State as part of the organization’s sensitization programme of the voters in the state for the November 16 election.

President of NICE, Mr. Godswill Mcpepple, while inaugurating the Anambra State branch of the organization in Awka yesterday, said its mission is to ensure that registered voters were not disenfranchised on Election Day.

According to him, “our aim is to provide a forum for the electorate to discuss issues of mutual national and local interest, share experiences, techniques and good democratic practice where appropriate decisions are reached in refined consensus.”

He reminded the electorate that it would amount to selling their birthright to allow politicians to purchase their voters cards, adding that anybody who buys people’s voters’ cards means evil and therefore should not be encouraged.

He described NICE as a body with integrity and that is dedicated to the conduct of free and fair election.