*Fresh Plot To Unseat APGA Unveiled
By Anayo Ndukuba
Ahead of governoship election in Anambra state, political parties have been deeply involved in horse trading over who becomes the candidates of the respective parties.
The November 6, 2021 governoship in the state as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be the most keenly contested in the state and if not the entire Nigeria.
Housing top billionaires in the country, the state’s political power houses have taken hints to throw weight on overthrowing the incumbent party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Although APGA currently sits as the incumbent, the 2021 election will be a top tight tussle.
Four major political parties in the state, APGA, People’s Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Young Democratic Party (YPP) have been pulling all stops before the conduct of the primary elections in July this year.
So far, over twenty aspirants have indicated interest across the political parties to contest the guber elections in the state.
The aspirants are Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, a Nigerian economics professor and a former Governor and chairman of the board of directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, who is aspiring to contest election under APGA plaform.
Prof. Soludo is taunted by many as the Governor’s choice for the party’s ticket. This insinuation gained momentum when the governor appointed him to chair the Anambra vision 2070.
Mr Stanley Uzochukwu, a Nigerian business magnet, investor and philanthropist, Chairman and CEO of the Stanel Group. Uzochukwu has indicated interest to run for the Anambra 2021 guber unde the APGA. He is believed to have the backing of the first lady of the state who wields a substantial influence in the running the state.
However, the big question remains, “will either of these two aspirants help APGA retain its political grip on the state or has the time come for an end of late Odumegwu Ojukwu inspired and self acclaimed Igbo party.
Others eyeing the exalted position under APGA are Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, currently in the House of Representatives and Okwuchukwu Nwankpo.
PDP has always been a top contender when it comes to Anambra politics. However, various internal party problems keep making the party’s shot at power a mirage which includes but not limited to zoning and arriving at a consensus candidate.
For PDP to succeed, it must present its best candidate and a united front, the zone from which the candidate emerges notwithstanding.
PDP has the highest number of marketable candidates for the gubernatorial election with the likes of Sen. Uche Ekwunife, Dr Godwin Maduka, Mr Godwin Ezeemo, Hon. Chris Azubogu and others.
Hon. Azubogu Chris Chukwuemeka Ifeanyi is an Anambra lawmaker representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives.
Dr Obiora Okonkwo is the Chairman of The Dome Entertainment and Hospitality Limited, a multi hospitality company.
Okonkwo entrance into the race, shattered all political equations, including the clamour for power to return back to the south .
Believed to have the financial war chest to not only win the primaries, but also match whoever the state governor presents in the election proper. The only obstacle to his candidacy, is the clamour for power to return back to the south .
Sen. Uche Lilian Ekwunife, is a Nigerian Politician and member of the 9th Nigerian Senate representing the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra State.
Ekwunife is one politician that can pull surprises especially when underrated. Her ability to compete with the male dominated politics leaves every one is awe and amazement .
It is believed that if the field is thrown wide open, without a consensus, she possesses the ability to bulldoze her way through .
Dr Godwin Maduka, is a Nigerian-American doctor, businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder of Las Vegas Pain Institute and Medical Center.
The philanthropic Doctor has a very slim chance of winning the PDP ticket, not because he is not qualified but lacks the needed political exposure to lead the PDP in the state. Seen as a new comer to the party, stakeholders may not be comfortable to hand him the ticket of the party.
But then, in politics anything is possible including him picking the ticket.
Chief Valentine Chineto “Val” Ozigbo is a Nigerian business executive. He is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria plc.
Though a new entrant into the political foray, he has since stamped his presence . he is believed to have similar traits of the former governor of the state Mr. Peter Obi, the average Anambarian believes he has all it takes to lead the state.
Mr Godwin Chukwunaenye Ezeemo is a Nigerian businessman and politician, chairman of The Orient Group of companies.
The chances of Ezeemo has been limited by his perennial aspiration to rule the state under different platforms.
Others are Dr Winston Udeh, Uzochukwu Okeke, Emeka Etiaba and Ifedi Okwunna.
The All progressive Congress (APC) is one of the political parties with low rating in the South East. Any candidate that would be running for the Anambra govership election in 2021 would have to contend with the problem of the party’s acceptance in the State.
Aspirants under the party include Sen. Andy Uba, a Nigerian politician who was elected Senator for the Anambra South constituency of Anambra State in 2021.
Andy Uba will likely not be a good contender for the govership seat as his party is less popular in the state.
Other aspirants of APC are Chief George Muoghalu, Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority, Chief Azuka Okwuosa, Chief Johnbossco Onukwo and Chief Chiedozie Nwankwo.
The Young Progressive Party (YPP), a newly registered political party during the 2019 general elections did impressively well. Winning one seat out of the 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate.
Sen. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, a Nigerian businessman, entrepreneur and currently the Senator, representing Anambra South in the Nigerian senate and CEO of Capital Oil is a sole aspirant of the party.
A run down of the aspirants show that it is a case of contenders and pretenders and it also cuts across the two major Christian organizations; the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church.
It also has to do with the zoning of the governoship position between the Anambra South Senatorial District, Anambra North senatorai district and Anambra Central Senatorial District.
Going by the last arrangements the governoship position has rotated between the three zones with Anambra North in power for eight years runing that would end next year.
But some other political parties like the PDP are contending that it is an APGA affair insisting that it would be thrown open to all the Senatorai Districts.
While understudying these aspirants political watchers are of the view that the November election in Anambra would go along these lines.
