By Praise Chinecherem
The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah has expressed confidence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) producing the next governor of Anambra State.
He also said Nnewi community was long overdue for a governor being home of late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Rt Hon Nwafor Orizu, among others who suffered for Ndigbo.
Speaking on Monday during a visit to party zonal leaders at residence of the APC South East Organizing Secretary, Mr Dozie Ikedife (jnr), Uba who recently dumped his Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the APC, urged Southeasterners to drop the mentality that APC belongs to a particular tribe.
He said, “I came to see the leadership of the APC in the zone for formal introduction and familiarization following my recent defection from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC.
“I didn’t come for leadership positions in the party that are already distributed, but to ask for support to ensure that the APC produced the next Governor of Anambra State after Soludo.
“All I’m appealing for is, if it is possible, for us to work together to achieve our political aim. Ndigbo need to embrace national party which is their best bet.
“Anambra is owing Nnewi North the opportunity to produce a Governor. Nnewi is the home of late Rt Hon Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, an Igbo leader, among others.
“These people who suffered for the Igbo deserve to be considered to allow the community that produced them to also produce the Governor of Anambra State.
“Ikedife (jnr) has taken me round to see the leaders of the party in the State. I’m in consultations. I’m a consolidator and a unifier. I said I must come to see you through our leader.
“Some Igbo had been deceived to believe that the APC is an Hausa or Fulani party. Unfortunately, majority of those with such mentality are from Anambra. This is a wrong impression I’ve come to correct.
While lamenting obvious marginalisation of the people of region, especially in terms of geopolitical zoning, the lawmaker said it would only be wise for Ndigbo to identify with the moving train.
“A good footballer knows how to score a goal. I saw the benefit of belonging to a national party, and I had to join them for our overall benefit.
“I left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to join the APC. Are they not all progressives? The young shall grow and of course the young has grown. One thing is remaining for us to achieve, that is Governorship,” he added.
While receiving Uba to the party, Ikedife (jnr) described him as a big fish, assuring him of maximum support.
“Before your entrance into our great party, we had resolved that the Anambra APC must produce the next Governor of the State.
“It appears we have bought a big player who will bring the winning cup home. We know you are a big fish. We will be all out to canvass for support,” he stated.
Some of the zonal leaders present during the visit were Ozo Prince Bonti Onuigbo, Publicity Secretary; Mr Ozoemena Unegbu, Legal Adviser; Mr Izu Okeke, zonal leader; Mr Abiola; Hon Smart Okafor, the immediate past lawmaker who represented Nnewi North in the State House of Assembly and Frank Ewuzie, Zonal Organizing Secretary.
Others are the Secretary of the APC, Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon Nnamdi Azubuike who promised that the party must massively mobilize for the next APC Governorship candidate to achieve victory; women leader; community leaders including Chief Agu Onyeka and other grassroots party members.
