By: Eberechukwu Ezennaya
With exactly 20 days to the much anticipated governorship election in Anambra State, amidst severe uprisings, turmoil and socio economic sabotage that have drenched down the drain in recent times, Ndi Anambra remains optimistic about the November 6th polls as another opportunity to decide the fate of the commercial hub of the East for another four years.
For Ndi Anambra, they cannot afford to make the wrong choice at this sensitive point of their existence as a peace loving conglomeration of rich cultural heritage.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced 18 candidates for the November 6th election, political observers agree that the battle of who will take over Anambra seat of power lies more firecely among Charles Soludo (APGA), Valentine Ozigbo (PDP), Andy Uba (APC) and Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP). All the gladiators hail from Anambra South Senatorial District. Hence, political arrangement in Anambra State supports that it is the turn of Anambra South to produce Anambra State governor.
Prof Charles Soludo who is a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has emerged as the standard flag bearer of the All Progressives Grand Alliance ahead of the gubernatorial polls. Political analysts believe that Mr Soludo who is enjoying the maximum support of the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano stands a most advantaged position to clinch power in 2022. In addition to the financial prowess of Prof Soludo, the notion by the Average Anambra man which views APGA as a party for Ibo nation is also a factor that might likely work for Charles Soludo. Easterners love for Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would definitely compel most voters to retain APGA in Anambra State. Meanwhile, the recent crises that have rocked the party especially the defection of deputy governor Nkem Okeke to the All Progressives Congress, APC is likely to nip Soludo’s ambition to the bud. Nkem Okeke was on Tuesday received by President Muhammadu Buhari into APC with his supporters.
Also, the bitter primary conducted by APGA is a capable weapon of destruction for the party in the November polls. On July 1, APGA had conducted a parallel primaries that controversially produced Prof Charles Soludo and Chukwuma Umeorji as respective candidates of the party.
For the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the road to the November 6th polls has not been rosy. The PDP has finally projected Mr Valentine Ozigbo as the party’s contestant in the upcoming governorship election.
Mr Ozigbo is a successful business and a past President and Chief executive officer of Transnational corporation (Transcorp). Analysts upholds that aside his influence in the business world, Mr Ozigbo would be riding on the back of the likes of ex governor Peter Obi and Senator Uche Ekwunife to win the election. Definitely, Mr Peter Obi still wields so much romance and support from Ndi Anambra. However, the chances of PDP to strike the cord is yet uncertain as the party struggles to regain the confidence of Ndi Anambra. Anambra State under PDP was subjected to political violence in 2003 and 2004. A trauma that is indelible in the heart of Anambra people, hence voters might remain unwilling to give PDP another chance.
The All Progressives Congress, APC has continued to demonstrate unquenchable determination to take over Anambra State. APC has fielded Mr Andy Uba as its candidate for the November 6th Governorship election. Political analysts affirmed that Uba who was a former special adviser to ex President Olusegun Obasanjo would be enjoying federal might as he slug it out with other opponents in the poll. The APC being focused in proving its growing popularity in South East would be leaving no stone unturned in a bid to take over Anambra State.
Nevertheless, the pendulum might swing against Andy Uba owing to the perception of Anambra residents concerning APC. For the Anambra person, APC is a fold for the northerners and must not be accepted in Ibo land. This sentiment would surely slim down the votes of Mr Andy Uba. Again, the dirty records of Andy Uba have not been forgotten by Anambra voters. Anambra electorates believe that the ex governor who was ousted out of office by the supreme court on December 14th 2007 will never find his way back to the government house. In addition to the fraudulent and corruption charges against Mr Uba, history asserts that Andy Uba and his brother Chris Uba are the master-minders of the political violence that engulfed the state in 2003 and 2004. While it is true that political sins are never forgiven, it may be difficult for Andy Uba to emerge as the next governor of Anambra State.
Ifeanyi Ubah popularly known as “Capital Oil” is the authentic candidate of the Young Progressives Party, YPP. Capital Oil has penetrated the heart of Ndi Anambra through his philanthropic quality. He emerged Senator representing Anambra South in the 2019 general elections on the YPP platform. Notwithstanding, analysts predicts that there is still a huge gap between Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s present position and his dream of becoming the governor of Anambra State. First, the structure of his political party might not deliver him in the November polls. It is accepted that despite Ubah’s popularity, his political party is not popular and formidable enough to challenge other bigger political parties. Secondly, the fact that Capital Oil won Anambra South Senatorial seat which is just a section of the entire state is not enough morale to pull Ifeanyi Ubah’s proposed mandate to reality.
As the election day fast approaches with all relevant stakeholder working assiduously to ensure a hitch – free, fair and credible election in Anambra State, it is the constitutional power and responsibility of Ndi Anambra to decide who will succeed Chief Willie Obiano come 16th March 2022.
Written by Eberechukwu Ezennaya
Eberechukwu Ezennaya hails from Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. He’s a graduate of Education and Physics from the Prestigious University of Benin and a member of the Association of Campus Journalists, University of Benin. He also served as Editor in Chief of Nigeria Universities Education Students Association, University of Benin chapter. Eberechukwu Ezennaya is leading a growing popular social media outfit known as “Political Watch” aimed at creating political awareness mainly among Nigerian youths.