The month of August no doubt would certainly be a month that would decide the fate of Anambra State, politically.
This month would showcase the gubernatorial primary elections of most political parties in Anambra State and would ultimately present the gubernatorial hopefuls of various political parties in the area.
Interestingly groups and Non Governmental Organizations have ever since been thinkering with the idea of presenting likely candidates of the three major political parties in Anambra State.
Just recently, the Anambra Unity Forum (ANUF) fired the first shot when the body presented two aspirants for the seat at the government house Awka
The body interestingly tailored its interest towards Anambra North Senatorial District, contending that since the zone already has the incumbent in Dr. Willie Obiano it would be fair and just for the two major political parties to present candidates from that zone.
According to a communique from the (ANUF)
After a wide consultation with various stakeholders in the state, Anambra Unity Forum discovered that more than eighty percent (80%) of the stakeholders and leaders of Anambra state favoured the current zoning arrangement in the state for governorship contest which involved supporting that Anambra North Senatorial Zone continue the present governorship slot to enable it complete eight years (8yrs) mandate.
Thereafter, the Anambra south Senatorial zone shall take it’s turn of eight years. This goes in line with the Igbo position at the 1994/1995 constitutional conference which emphasized zoning and rotation of political offices as a means to build unity and inclusiveness.
This position was supported by late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and canvassed by Dr Alex Ekwueme and was captured in the Draft constitution of that 1994/1995 conference. It especially states that the governorship position, in the interest of equity, shall rotate between the three Senatorial zones of the states.
ANUF agreed and resolved that each of the candidates we present for the 2017 governorship election from the Anambra North Senatorial Zone shall undertake to serve for only one tenure of four years.
The group at the end of its meeting presented its score card which stated thus;
The ANUF assessment team made very critical study of all the governorship aspirants from Anambra North Senatorial Zone based on their Humility; Dynamism; Passion for the good governance of the state; Relationship with the masses/grassroot politicians and major political class and our Leaders; Ability to deliver good governance; level of commitment and strength within their political parties, and experience.
The team came up with the results as stated below: Dr. Alex Obiogbolu came first in the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, whilst Dr Chike Obidigbo came first in All Progressives Congress, APC.
The group presented the aspirants to their individual parties as the best governorship materials for the general election, urging for maximum support from members.
Against this back drop, however these political parties that are affected by the appraisal of (ANUF) are already horse trading among its aspirants on who would at the end emerge as candidates.
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) most members and stakeholders are insisting for a real party man who had passed through the crucibles of the party’s internal challenges but remained loyal against all odds. At the moment, seven aspirants are jostling for the PDP ticket with Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze , Senator Stella Oduah, and Prince John Emeka coming from Anambra North senatorial zone. Senator Stella Oduah is the current serving senator for the zone.
Though it is yet to be seen the underlying current behind the sudden emergence of Stella Oduah wo hails from the same Local Government Area with Obaze, Dr. Obiogbolu, Obaze and Prince Emeka are the major contenders.
These three gladiators are already shadowing the affairs of the party with their supporters insisting that they make the list of candidates at the end of the day.
It is the belief of most party stakeholders that the Anambra PDP should not allow the show of shame in Edo and Ondo States to repeat itself when the party stakeholders in those States ran at cross purposes to the peril of the party.
In line with the resolution of the body and in consonance with the demands of the PDP Stakeholders and members, the choice of Dr. Alex Obiogbolu appears to be more acceptable against the choice of any other aspirants in PDP.
It is even being posited that the choice of a new entrant in the PDP would indeed sentence the party to several litany of fresh crisis that would indeed be the destroy the chances of the party’s victory in the November gubernatorial election.
The party members insist that consistency, commitment and loyalty to the party should be the major determinants as against the machinations of money bags that have in the past subjected the party to its woes.
Many submit that the crisis that rocked the PDP in the last year was as a result of impunity of imposing a non-core PDP member as the Leader of the party, citing that the PDP is not like other parties where one person is in control, and that a candidate acceptable to most of the major stakeholders will be the key to uniting the party and winning the November 18th guber poll.
Indeed their submissions apparently points to their insistence that the only option for the party is Obiogbolu whom the party can present as a better option against Obiano, the incumbent.
Similarly the confusion in All Progressing Grand Alliance (APGA) does not speak well of the incumbent who recently obtained nomination form from the Victor Oye led executive of the party.
It is alleged that despite efforts made by Obiano’s foot soldiers to reach out to the Acting National Chairman of APGA Chief Martin Agbaso, the governor could not obtain form from him.
The Governor’s dilemma is indeed as a result of facing the grave consequences of the Victor Oye group fighting back from within should he obtain forms for primary election from Agbaso.
Dr. Chike Obidigbo the third choice of the Anambra Unity forum cuts the picture of a man that found himself in the midst’s of stallions who it is clear would not let him pick the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
It is in the light of the above that Anambra North senatorial zone has no other option than to back Obiogbolu as its candidate before the second term ambition of the zone becomes history.
A pointer to this fact further is that Obiogbolu originated the power shift campaign to the North long before former governor Peter Obi took up the task that produced Obiano.
While the Peoples Democratic Party prepares for its primary election, the standard bearers of the party should be mindful of the peril of going back to Egypt if it fails.
Ugo Chukwuemeka wrote from Wuse, Abuja and can be reached at [email protected]
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
