Before the election in 2013, it was clear from the onset that the then candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willy Obiano was going to carry the day. And two factors made that prediction easy to make: one, the then governor, Mr. Peter Obi had raised the governance level in the state such that the people of the state were almost unanimous in their resolve that he be allowed to ‘install’ a successor. Two and most importantly was the alleged backing of the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan.

Although the PDP had a candidate in the race, in person of Dr. Tony Nwoye, the party made sure it did everything to allegedly frustrate his chances of winning the race by keeping him busy in the courts, until about two weeks to the election, before the Supreme Court’s judgment that declared him the authentic candidate.

Nwoye lend credence to the above fact in a recent interview when he declared that: “Jonathan sold me out, which he later apologised (for) anyway. I lost the election before (it was conducted) because the then president Jonathan gave all the support to them – to Peter Obi who installed Obiano and that was why they kept me in court. His (Jonathan) men assisted people that I contested primaries with, and they kept me in court; I only campaigned for less than 10 days.”

The rest as they say is history. Nwoye is back in the race again. So also is Obiano. But they are not the only two in the race. There are 35 other candidates, as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in September.

In the full list, as released by INEC, five women are vying for the governorship seat, while eight others are vying as running mates.

While Obiano retained his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke as running mate, the APC candidate, Dr. Nwoye, has the son of former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dozie Ikedife Jr as his running mate, with PDP’s Oseloka Obaze pairing with the daughter of the former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Mrs. Chidi Onyemelukwe. Former Aviation minister, Chief Osita Chidoka, who is running on the platform of the United Progressive Party (UPP) has Chief Marcel Okeke, an economic strategist, multi-talented administrator and philanthropist, as running mate.

Others on the list are Nwezi Amechi and his running mate Okeke Njideka, a woman, for the All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP), and Oby Okafor and her running mate Onyekwuluje Uzoma for the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD).

Also in the race are the Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA) and Action Democratic Party (ADP), African People’s Party (APP), Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP), Democratic Alternative (DA), Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC), Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Kowa Party.

The rest are the Labour Party (LP), Masses Movement Of Nigeria (MMM), Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP) United Democratic Party (UDP), National Conscience Party (NCP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Nigeria Peoples Congress (NPC), National Unity Party (NUP), People for Democratic Change (PDC),  Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Democratic Party (YDP) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).

But of the lot, Daily Sun investigations reveal that four stand out. And from all available records and statistics, it was further gathered, the four candidates, otherwise dubbed the big four are the frontrunners in the race. They are Obiano, Obaze, Nwoye and Chidoka. Of the four, three are from Anambra North Senatorial District, an area where traditional rulers, elite and other major stakeholders in the state believe should have another shot at the governorship, in line with its unwritten zoning arrangement in the state. Chidoka is the only one from Anambra Central Senatorial district, an area the people believed has had its turn as far as the governorship of the state was concerned.

Obiano

He is the incumbent governor. Naturally the incumbency factor should work in his favour. He is a Catholic and they are in the majority in the state. His candidature is seen as the surest short cut to having the south senatorial district have a go at governorship after four years based on the zoning and rotation principle.

He is also running on the platform of APGA, a party seen largely as an Igbo party. Although the original founder of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie is not from the state, but because the late leader of the party and former Biafra warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu hails from the state, Anambra is seen as the home of APGA. Those who hold this view believe that irrespective of whether Obiano is doing well or not, the party must not be allowed to die.

The slogan is “Nkea bu nke anyi” (meaning: this is our own). They see the party as one that could be used to negotiate Igbo’s fortune in Nigeria. Two prominent chieftains of the party who have been pushing this position through in the media, especially is the immediate past national chairman of the party, who incidentally is leading Obiano’s re-election campaign, Chief Victor Umeh and former Information commissioner, Chief Tony Onyima.

Umeh, in one of the party’s campaign rallies in Idemili North said: “Anambra election is not only to re-elect Governor Obiano but to ensure that APGA did not go into extinction; we will not allow the only Governor elected under APGA to be removed from office.

“Governor Obiano is the only governor the Igbo race has, so the election is not only for Obiano’s re-election but to make sure the Igbo race is not wiped out in Nigeria.

“The way Igbo are treated in Nigeria has exposed the injustice against the Igbo people and we must struggle harder like never before to ensure that we remain in Nigeria, you should not listen to the people who are coming here to tell you to join them, their end will soon come.”

Onyima, on his part, in a recent interview with Daily Sun said: “If for whatever reason, Anambra decides to embrace APGA, and APGA has retained the power for the past 11 years, what is wrong with that? If you look at the political history of this country, which party has ever been a truly national party? It requires a handshake across the divide to be a national party. Obiano has promised to do that. In the last governorship election in Abia, he gave all the necessary support to the candidate there, and he nearly got or he got it, but for some unforeseen circumstances. In Imo State, recall that Rochas Okorocha first won election on the ticket of APGA and later he defected; AD started that way, and from AD to AC, ACN and, today APC. So, APGA is in the same trajectory.”

Obiano’s supporters are of the view that he has performed. And those in this league will readily point at the beautification of  Awka, the capital city, building of roads and flyover, maintenance of security and his investment in agriculture, to buttress their position.

For Obiano, the major attraction for now is his dolling out of N20 million to each communities for projects. Because the traditional rulers and some elite are in charge of the disbursement of the fund, Obiano is expected to have them on his side. He also boasts of paying salaries of workers regularly. All these which are some of his strengths are expected to work in his favour.

However, there are other factors also likely to work against him at the poll. His performance is seen largely in some quarters as a fluke. Interestingly, during the last governorship debate organised and televised live by Channels Television, Obiano could not adequately respond to the issue when he was asked to show any tangible results on the ground of the series of MoUs he had signed in the last three and half years.

His government is also seen as clownish, as his appointments revolve mainly around his area- the Aguleri axis. And even some of the roads he constructed are said to be concentrated in his own area of the state. There is also a gang up against him, from within his party, APGA.

For instance,  Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, founding member of APGA in Anambra State, who is presently campaigning for the election of Oseloka Obaze of the PDP believes that Obiano does not deserve a second term. He said among other things that “it is preposterous and prevaricating for a properly constituted government with huge allocations and IGR to point at the payment of salaries and pension as achievement. By the way, it is legal, moral and natural to pay all workers at the due time. It is unconscionable and despicable really to owe a worker who has completed his task. Therefore, Obiano’s government should not see the payment thereof, as an achievement. Besides, governments before it (that is Ngige and Obi’s) paid salaries and pensions and still performed and packaged the infrastructures to the admiration of Ndi Anambra. More so, Obiano’s government has no reason not to pay salaries and improve on the lives of Ndi Anambra because a solid financial foundation was availed by the preceding government of Peter Obi. The street light project, good as it is, is not enough to showcase given the enormous fund at Obiano’s government disposal.

“I believe in objectivity and not swayed by parochialism and sentiments. Honestly, the government of Obiano has not done anything positive to warrant a second tenure. I say it again, giving Obiano a second chance means total liquidation of Anambra State. To this end, therefore, I urge Anambrarians to give Oseloka Henry Obaze their mandate come November 18, 2017. He is already tested and trusted having brought his Midas touch to bear on both Obi’s and Obiano’s incipient administration. The now famous and glorious MDG’s miracle in Anambra so far is the handwork of Oseloka Obaze. Truly, as an elder statesman and a stakeholder in Anambra polity, Obaze’s international diplomatic exposure and human management acumen, including the expertise of Chidi Onyemelukwe are sure the right steps to progress and prosperity in Anambra State.”

Obaze

He is a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He served former governor Peter Obi and incumbent governor, Obiano in the same capacity.  But for the crisis that engulfed APGA in the run up to the 2013 governorship election, he would have succeeded Obi.

Obi, Daily Sun gathered, had zeroed in on him, campaigns were on, and suddenly crisis broke out between Obi and Umeh, who was the then national chairman of the party. But when the dust settled, part of the compromise reached was that all those who were on the side of Obi, and who had already been pencilled down to run would have to give way. And that was how Obiano, who was never part of the government and the initial campaign, came into the mix and became the beneficiary of the crisis.

But Obi and Obaze today are in the PDP. Like Obiano, he is also a Catholic. Daily Sun gathered that the Catholic Bishops at some point mooted the idea of backing a candidate, but the idea did not fly.

Obaze, as many have come to know today is the unsung hero of the Obi’s magic in Anambra State. Interestingly, if outcome of debates before elections have impact on the voters, Obaze, from last Sunday’s outing would have carried the day. Most Nigerians including those who are not from Anambra gave the day to him. He is sound, articulate and appears to have a clear idea of what he wants to do in Anambra. His major strength is Obi.  But that could also undo him.

Obi is largely seen as fighting a vendetta. But Obi too has explained his reasons for leading a campaign against Obiano. He told Daily Sun in a recent interview that:  “I governed this state for eight years. I can tell you that there is no candidate in this present election that can work better than our (PDP) candidate, Obaze. Some people wrote that Peter Obi and Obiano are quarrelling. I don’t have any issue with Mr. Willie Obiano, but I have issues with Governor Obiano. We are not quarrelling, Obiano is still my friend.

“…the issue I have with Obiano is very simple.  When I took Obiano round Anambra State for campaign, wherever we went to, the markets and so on, the people kept asking me, ‘Peter are you sure this man would do well,’ and I said ‘yes.’ They asked, ‘if he fails to do well what will happen? I told them ‘I would be the one to lead a campaign against Obiano if he does not perform well in his first term.’ Today, can anyone show me what the governor has done within his first term? He has nothing to show for it. I am a businessman; you don’t introduce a product twice in the market.”

However, the crisis within the PDP would largely work against Obaze. If the PDP had put its house in order, analysts believe the governorship would have been it for the take. Those who argue along this line believed that Anambra was originally PDP and that all the major actors in the different political parties today, especially the major ones, were once members of the party before they all went their separate ways.

Ironically, all the aspirants who contested against Obaze on the platform of the PDP are not with him. While some are working for the APC, others are with Obiano. Yet, there is a group who believe in working for the party so that in the event that the party wins, they would find a way round their challenges. One of those in this category is Dr. Alex Obiogbolu. He believes that he could still be the governor, if the party wins, since he is already challenging the emergence of Obaze in court.In all, majority of the PDP members are angry that Obi has allegedly hijacked the party. They say his man picked the party’s ticket, a running mate was picked without recourse to them and that the campaign team was put together without carrying them who are the mainstream PDP members along. All these are expected to work against Obaze.

Nwoye

He is also a Catholic like Obiano and Obaze. Like the two of them too, he is also from the northern senatorial district. But unlike Obaze, this is not his first attempt. He ran against Obiano in 2013, but lost. However, to prove a point, he ran for the Anambra East/West Federal Constituency election and trounced the governor’s candidate. He believes strongly that if he could defeat the governor in his “backyard” in 2015 to go to the House of Representatives, he could repeat similar feat this Saturday.

Though, a grassroots person, Nwoye himself is of the view that the race won’t be a tea party. He admitted that APGA was a “strong party” to beat in the state, but nonetheless expressed confidence that he would win the election.

The youths, especially students are his greatest assets. Being a former students’ union leader, the youths see him as one of their own. He also enjoys reasonable support from the womenfolk, largely because of his major backer, Chief Arthur Eze, who is said to be a philanthropist of legendary proportion.

He is one that keeps to agreement. If you have an agreement with him, he is not the type that would betray it. Although he hasn’t say so, his opponents believe that he would be relying only on federal might to make it to Awka Government House.

But Nwoye and his supporters think otherwise. He said: “Rigging is not possible in this election. Votes must count; one man, one vote. APC will win this election convincingly. APGA would be the complainant while APC would be the defendant after the election.”

However, Nwoye’s major challenge is his party. Despite the fact that some of the ‘who is who’ in the South East today are in the  APC, the party remains a hard sell in the zone, including in Anambra State. His party is seen largely as being responsible for the marginalisation of the Igbo.

Incidentally, Nwoye and his supporters too are aware of this fact. What they have now resorted to do is to convince the people that they should put it at the back of their minds that they are voting Nwoye and not any Hausa or Yoruba man.

Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal that were it possible to have candidates’ photograph on the ballot and not party logo, Nwoye would have been one of the greatest beneficiaries of that.

Apart from his party, there are also a few of his party members who are also not happy with his emergence. Prominent among them is Senator Andy Uba. All these may work against him.

Chidoka

A former Aviation minister, Chidoka is one politician who appears to be looking beyond this Saturday’s election. His party though very new, appears to represent the new thinking in Igbo land. Its ideals appear to be in tandem with some of the positions being canvassed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The party is being seen in so many quarters as an alternative to APGA. Maybe if the elite and the traditional rulers had not taken side concerning the issue of zoning in the state, Chidoka may perhaps have been dubbed the underdog in the race. Regardless, he appears like one.

Like Obaze, Chidoka gave a good account of himself during the Anambra governorship debate last Sunday. He was rated second best after Obaze by Nigerians on the various social media platforms. He believes he has what it takes to build Anambra into the “first truly world class state in Nigeria and to trigger the processes that would deliver double-digit growth in the GDP of Anambra State and transform it into a middle-income economy by the year 2022.”

Unlike the other candidates, Chidoka is an Anglican. And the church plays very significant and important roles in influencing the choice of electorate.

Chidoka’s experience in the public sector is one of his greatest assets. He became the Chief Executive Officer of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) at the age of 35. But for now, his senatorial district remains his greatest albatross.

However, since he is the only one from the Anambra Central Senatorial district, and since the area has the highest voting population in the state, the people might just decide to spring some surprises. Anambra is never in short supply of political surprises.

Like all the other three major political parties, Chidoka also has some challenges with members of the UPP, some of whom have since left the party shortly after the primary election that produced him as candidate. Also, many believed that since his brother is a current member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP, he should not have bothered showing interest in the race.

The battle ground

Like every state, Anambra too has three senatorial districts. There are 21 councils in all, with each of the senatorial district having seven councils. Obiano’s running mate is from central, while those of Chidoka, Obaze and Nwoye are from the south. But Obi and Ngige are from central. Both men are well respected in the area. Ngige is backing Nwoye, while Obi is backing Obaze. Senator Uche Ekwunife also has reasonable followership in this zone. She is backing Nwoye. Umeh, who leads Obiano’s campaign is also from central. From all indications, Anambra central which has the highest number of voting strength remains the battle ground and any of the candidates that makes appreciable impact in the zone may as well carry the day.

Last line

Regardless, for Obi and Obiano, Daily Sun investigations can reveal, the election is a contest for pride and ego between them. And since all the other three major candidates see Obiano as a non-performer who should not be given another chance to return, the collaboration between two of any of the three would make the race a very tight one for Obiano. But where they all go into the race the way they are at present, Obiano may perhaps carry the day.

Source: The sun

Here is a list of all the candidates released by INEC:

1. Willie Obiano – All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)

Obiano is the incumbent governor of Anambra state and had to overcome internal party politics to retain the APGA’s ticket. He’s also retained his deputy, Nkemakonam C. Okeke, as his running mate.

Governor of Anambra state, Dr Willie Obiano.

With the clear advantage of being the incumbent, he is poised to fend off strong competition and win reelection.

2. Oseloka Henry Obaze – People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

The 62-year-old is one of the election’s biggest candidates. He’s previously served as a United Nations (UN) diplomat and as Secretary to the State Government of Anambra State for three years under both former Governor Peter Obi and incumbent Governor Obiano.

Oseloka Obaze with running mate, Chidi Onyemelukwe.

His running mate, Chidi Onyemelukwe, is also a formidable ally as a graduate of Law from the University of Wales and the daughter of former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.

3. Tony Nwoye – All Progressives’ Congress (APC)

With the might of the presidential ruling party behind him, Nwoye is one of the biggest contenders backed to win the race.

The former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) failed in his last bid to become Anambra State governor with the PDP, as he came second.

His running mate is Dozie Ikedife Arinze.

4. Godwin Chukwunaenye Ezeemo – Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA)

Ezeemo is the only major candidate from Anambra south and is considered strong enough to pull off an upset at the poll with his running mate, Prince Leonard Uchendu.

5. Osita Chidoka – United Progressive Party (UPP)

Chidoka is a former Minister of Aviation who is committed to transforming the public service in the state to meet the people’s hopes and needs.

He is also a notable supporter of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as he drove him away from Kuje prison when he was released on bail in April 2017.

He is one of the favourite candidates to win the election with Okeke Marcel Ogbonnaya as his running mate.

6. Uju Uchendu Ozoka – Action Alliance (AA)

The 48-year-old lawyer and publisher emerged as the AA’s consensus candidate after her only opponent failed the party’s screening exercise.

Her candidacy is the election’s only all-female ticket after she chose Theresa Nnalue as her running mate.

Her published works include Women And National Development (French And English), Nigeria Of My Dream, and Nigeria: Towards An Egalitarian Society.

7. Oby Kate Okafor – Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD)

Running on the promise to right the failure of the menfolk to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people, the Nollywood actress turned politician won her party’s ticket uncontested and chose Onyekwuluje Chidi Uzoma as her running mate.

8. Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba – Alliance Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN)

The retired Customs Officer has been a vocal voice during the campaign and is one of the seven candidates with a female running mate in Ebele Onyinye Angel.

9. Paul Chukwudi Obianaso – African Democratic Congress (ADC)

The indigene of Oghalegbu in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra is also running for governor with Francis Amechi Agumadu as his running mate.

10. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo – Action Democratic Party (ADP)

11. Adaeze Chizube Okafor – Advanced People’s Democratic Alliance (APDA)

The graduate of Fine and Applied Arts from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) is another one of the five female candidates contesting the Anambra governorship election.

She defeated her rival during APDA’s primaries, Izuegbu Chinedu Chima, by 390 to 3 votes. Her running mate is Oguejiofor Franklin.

12. Emmanuel Uchenna Nwibe – Democratic Alternative (DA)

Nwibe is contesting the governorship election with the youngest running mate on the ballot paper in Okpezune Nnaemeka Kingsley who is 28 years old.

13. Edochie Yul Chibuike – Democratic People’s Congress (DPC)

Edochie is one of the most well-known candidates contesting the election as he’s a Nollywood actor turned politician.

Yul Edochie .

The Dramatic Arts graduate from the University of Port Harcourt is the son of veteran actor, Pete Edochie, and, as one of the youngest candidates, has vowed to bring an end to the old order of politics that has denied the common people the true dividends of democracy.

Okeke Oluchukwu is his running mate.

14. Onuorah Basil Onyeachonam – Green Party of Nigeria (GPN)

The 38-year-old industrialist has promised to create three million jobs in four years if elected. His running mate is Chukwuanu Genevieve Nonye.

15. Samuel Osita Oraegbunam – Hope Democratic Party (HDP)

Sam Oraegbunam

Oraegbunam is a vocal critic of Governor Obiano and has promised to run a more transparent administration that’ll cater to the common people. His running mate is Arthur Regis Odidika.

16. Ndife Franklin Ikenna – Independent Democratic (ID)

The 35-year old farmer was elected unopposed to become his party’s flag-bearer and has promised to break the state away from the ‘retrogressive system’ that has held it back from proper development. His running mate is Nwabude Stephen Jachike.

17. Praise Okechukwu – Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP)

Okechukwu is another female candidate contesting the election with Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ndubuisi as her running mate.

18. Benneth Abaniwu – National Democratic Liberty Party (NDLP)

Abaniwu is a renowned hotelier who is also contesting the election, with Peter Chudi Okoye as his running mate.

19. Nnoli Amechi Justin – National Unity Party (NUP)

The 54-year-old Nnoli has worked for the presidential campaigns of former President Goodluck Jonathan and incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari (2002-2011), and he believes it is God’s wish for him to lead Anambra State.

His running mate is Agbata Martin Ikechukwu.

20. Peter Chibike – People for Democratic Change (PDC)

The 44-year-old believes Anambra needs someone with passion, foresight and strength to take it to the next level of development, and that he represents that perfectly.

His running mate is Okudo Christian Chukwuemeka.

21. Kenneth Ejike Modezie – People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

Pastor Modezie, a former bank manager, has promised to ensure that Anambra’s children and youths have access to quality education at least from primary to secondary school levels.

He contested for a House of Representatives position in 2011 but lost. His running mate is Chinweze Ogechukwu.

22. Stephen Obiorah Mbah – People’s Redemption Party (PRP)

Stephen Obiorah Mbah

The industrialist and self-acclaimed “servant leader” has promised to transform the state into an economic powerhouse if he’s victorious with his running mate, Onyejiaka Norbert Anabalaonye.

23. Ozoemena Nonso – Young Democratic Party (YDP)

Ozoemena is another 35-year-old contestant that considers his candidacy to be a revolution against the old order of Nigerian politics as he’s bent on providing the sort of leadership that Anambra deserves.

Ugochukwu Nwofor is his running mate.

Other candidates with very little known about them are:

24. Nnaemeka Ifeoma Ezibe – Young Progressive Party (YPP)

Running mate: Odiniru Chigozie Faminus

25. Nweke Christopher Chukwudubem – African People’s Party (APP)

Running mate: Akabike Ifeanyichukwu

26. Ohanugo Ikem Cecil – Better Nigeria Progressive Party (BNPP)

Running mate: Eze Nnabuike Ogbonna

27. Ifeanyi l. Obalum – Social Democratic Party (SDP)

Running mate: Clement Chukwuraa Okafor

28. Stanley Uche Ezeanyaku – United Democratic Party (UDP)

Running mate: Eric Chijioke Enemo

29. Henry Ikechukwu Onuorah – People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN)

Running mate: Igboanusi Glory Ugochi

30. Felix A.R. Obi-Okafor – Nigeria Elements Progressive Party (NEPP)

Running mate: Nneka Anasudu

31. Okafor Charles Ogbonna –  New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP)

Running mate: Okolie Oliver Elvis

32. Val. Okey Oguejiofor – Nigeria People’s Congress (NPC)

Running mate: Okafor Ejike Samuel

33. Chinedu Uzoma Okpalanma – National Conscience Party (NCP)

Running mate: Chukwuma Ivan Egeonu

34. Rufus Okeke Sunday Ezeokolonkwor – Kowa Party

Running mate: Ezeonyirimba Charles Izuchukwu

35. Christian Okechukwu Enemuo – Labour Party (LP)

Running mate: Okoye Obi Vincent

36. Okafor Onyeka Christian – Masses Movement Of Nigeria (MMN)

Running mate: Onwuka Osita

37. Nwezi Felix Amechi – All Grand Alliance Party (AGAP)

The National Chairman of APGA -Chief Victor Oye has described the defection of Ojukwu Son to APC as inconsequential and would not have any effect on Saturday gubernatorial election.According to Chief Oye ,’ the decision of Ojukwu Son to dump the party that represents his father’s ideology portray him as a prodigal son.

Chief Oye believed that the Prodigal Son will always return to APGA in due course.

Celestine reporting for BVI Channel 1

Mr Emeka Ojukwu jnr, son of the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress.

Ojukwu jnr made his declaration on Wednesday in Awka, at the grand finale campaign of the APC candidate for the Anambra 2017 governorship election, Dr Tony Nwoye.

President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, 12 APC governors, National Assembly members in the party, among other party bigwigs, witnessed the event.

According to him, his decision to join the party was to protect the interest of the Igbos.

Ojukwu jnr, who was adorned in a toga of his new party, said it was time for the people of the South-East region to move from “the recession of the periphery to the centre.”

“It is time to leave the shadows for light. Every now and then, they come out with my father’s shadow to confuse the people,” he said.

According to him, APGA is a means to an end but not an end itself.

He said the reason why his father joined the National Party of Nigeria in the Second Republic was to ensure that Igbo people remained in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.

“Mr President, I am proud to stand here today in support of you and in solidarity with the APC and our candidate, Tony Nwoye,” he added.

The APC national chairman presented the party symbol to him and described the rally as “another historic campaign.”

Oyegun recalled that Buhari made history when he unseated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, saying that the same feat would be achieved in Anambra 2017 governorship election.

The national chairman urged the people of the state to vote en mass for the party and Nwoye at the Saturday poll.

NAN(Punch)

BVI Channel 1 was reliably informed that Gov Obiano’s security details have been restored.

More updates being expected——