ANAMBRA POLITICS: A Tale of the Gladiators
Sequel to the stormy elections of March 28 and April 11, Anambra Central would not only witness the greatest heat ever, but also record pregnant with surprises. NKIRU ORJI reports from Agulu, Anambra State.
The intimidating crowd that stormed the Anglican Church premises in Agulu town, in Anaocha Local Government area could pass for a political rally.
With uniforms on display that day, passersby might mistake it for the State’s ruling party rally, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), but far from it.
The rally was actually a show of strength by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favour of its Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central District, Hon Uche Ekwunife.
To the PDP, the rally was instructive as party chieftains and major stakeholders of APGA are to be welcomed into the fold of PDP as new members.
They included members of former governor Peter Obi’s Executive Council, ex-councilors and chairmen of the Local Government Areas of the Senatorial Zone.
Also present at the occasion was the Director General of Gov. Willie Obiano campaign organization, Barr Joe Martins Uzodike who was recently kicked out from his position as Special Adviser on political matters.
Ironically, the venue of the rally is about a shouting distance from the home town of APGA’s National Chairman and Senatorial Candidate of the party for the same zone, Sir Victor Umeh. It is also the home town of former Gov Peter Obi.
Expectedly, Ekwunife was ultimately endorsed as the candidate of the Zone instead of Sir Victor Umeh, their National Chairman.
Speakers that addressed the crowd dealt several verbal blows on Umeh whom they described as a tyrant whose alleged greed and inordinate ambition are unlimited.
Barr. Jeo Martins Uzodike told a story of how Umeh has continued to hoodwink and pressurise Gov Willie Obiano to submission, alleging that the governor is under bondage.
“This rally could be described as the climax of the political rivalry with no love lost between Ekwunife and Umeh who in the recent past were jolly good fellows in APGA,” a party lord told Daily Times.
Ever since the two declared their ambitions to run for the Senatorial seat of Anambra Central, it has been one trouble two many as each continue to trade words and counter allegations of violence and arson.
Umeh had earlier accused Ekwunife’s supporters of setting his bill boards ablaze and attacking his members, while Ekwunife acknowledged that Umeh is facing the consequences of all the things he allegedly committed against APGA members who are now paying him back in his own coins.
This war has also been carried to the churches where they have constantly taken on each other in a bid to winning the support of the Christian community.
At every occasion that their parts crossed, it has been one long tale of attacks and counter attacks from each side of the divide.
Just a few weeks to the conduct of the National Assembly elections, political observers have been wondering which of the two candidates would emerge the winner.
Also in Dunkofia Council Area where philanthropist and major financier of PDP in the country, Prince Arthur Eze comes from, Daily Times learnt that Umeh would find it difficult to dislodge Ekwunife.
In Awka North and South Council Areas, the odds still appear to be against Umeh, considering how the APGA primaries for the Federal Constituency allegedly shortchanged the incumbent, Chief Emeka Nwogbo who is now in All Progressives Congress APC.
In the same vein, it is expected that Njikoka Local Government may be shared among the two considering the fact that Deputy Governor and the candidate of Federal Constituency are Umeh’s supporters, while Ekwunife showed effective populist representation during her eight years in the National Assembly.
Idemili North and South Federal Constituency is yet another battle ground for Umeh and Ekwunife but they must have to fight it out with the incumbent Senator in APC, Dr Chris Ngige who is a true Idemili son and enjoys the support of his kinsmen.
Conversely however, stakeholders appear to see the muscle flexing as between Umeh and Ekwunife, forgetting that Ngige is in the race.
“Ngige has been maintaining a low profile campaign strategy since as against the show of strength and popularity that he is known for,” Cyprian, a Lagos based Anambra scholar told Daily Times.
“The former governor talks less, but goes about his campaign sublimed and apparently carrying his last card close to his chest, but make no mistake about it, Ngige has this gift of wriggling out of any situation just as he did in 2011 General election.” Cyprian said.
Our correspondent gathered that communities in Anambra State will not forget in a hurry, Ngige’s achievements as a senator and as the Deputy Senate Committee Chairman on power and steel, as the reason why virtually every community in the seven council areas of Anambra Central has at least, two new power transformers, among other achievements.However, pundits are of the view that March 28th 2015 in Anambra Central would not only witness the greatest heat ever, but also record the mother of all contests full of surprises.
