By Praise Chinecherem
Former Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Chief Dr Simon Okeke has weighed in on the controversy over the Bloc that should produce a replacement for late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Even as he has backed the clamour for Nnewi South to produce the next Senator for the vacant seat at the red chamber he insisted that any candidate eyeing the seat should be an advocate of security of lives and property in the zone.
Okeke, who doubles as Chairman of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, stressed that Nnewi South has the capacity to produce a candidate that could offer quality representation in the Senate.
Hear him: “Nnewi South, yes, there is no doubt that we have people who are capable to replace Ifeanyi Ubah in the Senate.
“Let them offer themselves and campaign vigorously. We have capable hands in Nnewi South to take that position. Let the best candidate be allowed to go for the position.
“I’m from Nnewi South, you know. But you can’t say that you are from Nnewi South and expect that it will be given to you on a platter of gold.
“Whoever that is going there should be an advocate of security of lives and property in Anambra South Senatorial zone.
“That is my view and even when Ifeanyi Ubah was alive, I called a town hall meeting to my house for Nnewi South and other Local Government Areas. They came to my house and Ifeanyi Ubah was there.
“I made a presentation of my wish on security in Anambra South especially Ukpor in Nnewi South; Ihiala; Isekke; Orsumoghu; Lilu and all those areas.
“They are now no-go areas because of the activities of the so-called unknown gunmen and many people have lost their lives there.
“If it’s by zoning, the person to serve out Ubah’s tenure must come from Old Nnewi Bloc.”