Igbos must hold firm to their strengths – Amaechi

The Movement for Greater Anambra State, MOFGAS, at the weekend, organised a rally in Awka, as the State gets ready for the gubernatorial election in 2017. A lot of political gladiators were present and as expected, the language of the day was a staccato of positive and not so positive remark of the present administration of Governor Willie Obiano.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, a First Republic Minister of Aviation, also known as ‘The Boy is Good’, opened the speeches with a bold call for “Ndi Igbo to hold firm to their strengths”. He cautioned that even “if political powers at the centre may elude them that South Easterners must hold onto their economic and technological powers”.

The elder statesman affirmed that this is why Igbo states like “Anambra must create enabling environment to ensure the Igbo man thrives in his God-given talents. That Anambrarians must ensure that successive governments do not deviate from people-oriented policies that would enable the mantra, Aku luo uno thrive”.

He recalled the great Ikemba’s call to Ndi Nnewi that has transformed the town to today’s Japan of Africa.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Honourable Chinedu Obidigwe, who represented His Excellency, Dr. Willie Obiano, attempted to convince keen ears on why his boss is still suitable to stay in office beyond 2018.
He stated that “security remains the most important sector for any government to tackle; kidnapping that was a daily affair in the state before the coming of our governor has successfully been subdued. It takes just 48 hours of notice of any such occurrence and any victim would be successfully rescued without harm. Ndi Anambra no longer perform ceremonies like igba nkwu in Lagos as was the norm before Akpokue’s arrival”. Obidigwe also delved into payment of salaries, a pass mark for the governor.
However, Dr. Sylvester Igwilo, the State Chairman of UPP, who led all his state executives to the event, bared out his mind after the likes of Chief Chris Eluemuno, the chairman, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, a governorship contestant, Dr. Chinedu Idigo and Dr. Edward Ezenwafor, who represented Dr. Godwin Ezeemo, also a prospective governorship candidate. Dr. Igwilo commended the government’s efforts on security but warned “that hunger is a far deadlier ailment than being kidnapped”. He went on to say that “the original intent to chant the appropriate political course for the Igbo man based on his strengths, needs and advancement that gave rise to APGA has been jettisoned; hence this new movement anchored on UPP is to bring back that desire and avoid repeating same mistakes, rather we should improve on the Igbo man’s ideals.”
Dr. Edward Ezenwafor also pointedly outlined that “our dear state has stagnated from the number one state and hence we need a serious change”. Earlier speakers present were also unequivocally affirmative of Dr. Ezenwafor. Such speakers include the Igwe of Amanuke, HRC Denise Ezebuilo and representatives of Dr. Chris Ngige, the Transport Minister and Senator Andy Uba and other dignitaries who proffered some solutions.
The former Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Oseloka Obaze declined to speak his mind, preferring just to great delegates present, saying “that protocol demands that no other person should speak at any event after His Excellency had spoken”.
In his closing words, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, encouraged the organisers and promised them of ever moral support; however, explaining that “MOFGAS should critically look at things, see if the incumbent has done enough to continue beyond 2018 or see if the North should be called upon to replace him”. The elder statesman went on to “caution that in the latter case, it must be in harmonised round table with other zones, particularly the South, to iron out a situation that could see the North holding power for 8 years”.
Significantly, all parties that have presence in Anambra State sent in delegates to the event. The chairman of the state chapter of the movement, Honourable Shedrack Anakwue made it clear that “MOFGAS is for real and our intentions could be clearly observed as presently progressive