National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Thursday, expressed the party’s determination to win the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election.
Odigie-Oyegun said the Anambra State Governorship election was a test case on the APC-led government’s bid to mainstream the South-East in the power equation of the country.
The APC National Chairman made the disclosures when he received the APC South East Zonal Committee for the Anambra 2017 Governorship election at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
The Committee, which was presented by APC National Vice Chairman (South East), Hon. Emma Eneukwu, is chaired by former governor of old Anambra state, Dr. Jim Nwobodo.
Former Abia State governor, Dr. Uzor Kalu, is Vice Chairman.
Other members of the Committee are Sen. Emma Azu Agboti (Secretary) Sen. Ifeanyi Araraume, Sen. Nkechi Nwogu, Chief Cosmas Maduba and Chief Gbazuagu Gbazuagu.
Odigie-Oyegun said: “It is clear that the quality of the committee underscores the importance in which the Party hold the Anambra governorship election and the importance in which we hold return of the South East to the mainstream of Nigerian politics.
“At national level, it is a matter of prime concern. We are very keen to return the nation to the balance it used to have, a balanced federation. And it is most important for that purpose that the South South and South East must participate.
“We must try to achieve a semblance of equality and full participation by all geopolitical groups in the power equation of this country. We are joining you in making Anambra a test case. Fortunately we have had quite a number of good opinion leaders joining the movement and we now have the critical mass with which to project this great effort. We are fully with you in this effort. Certainly, by next month the Party leadership will set up a national campaign committee for Anambra state. We are determined to work, not to manipulate to win the forthcoming Anambra governorship election.”
Speaking earlier, Nwobodo said the Anambra governorship election is important for APC as a national party.
He said everything legally possible must be done to win the state.
Nwobodo said: “Anambra is an important state in the South-East, economically and politically. It is a state where very prominent and wealthy Igbo come from, some of whom are aspiring to contest for the forthcoming governorship election. There may be attempts to influence the primaries with money and buy nomination.
“But this Committee has resolved that the most popular choice of the people of Anambra State will emerge, irrespective of how deep his pocket may be, through a transparent primary. This is because imposing an unpopular candidate is a recipe for failure and bad governance.
“Beyond the primaries, APC government should do something to convince the people of Anambra State and indeed the South-East, to vote for an APC governorship candidate and that they are still part of the government of the day.”
In attendance at the meeting were the APC National Treasurer, Alhaji Bala Mohamed Gwagwarwa; APC Director of Administration, Abdulahi Gashua and APC Director of Organisation, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari.
