By Okechukwu Nwoyemezie
The controversial primaries organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pick its candidate for the November 6 Governorship election in the state has come and gone.
Sadly, the exercise has left the people of the state with more questions than answer to the dice political climate surrounding PDP’s preparedness to wrestle the political leadership of the state from APGA.
One of such questions is:Has People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State missed an opportunity to govern Anambra on March 17, 2022, when the incumbent Gov. Willie Obiano of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) would expectedly vacate office?
This is a food for thought for descerning minds following political pendulum of the state, especially regarding the recent PDP primaries which has been shrouded in controversy.
Last week Saturday, the opposition party produced two governorship candidates for the November 6 Governorship election for the state due to a parallel gubernatorial primary held in Awka, following counter court injunctions.
In a primary poll, organised by the PDP National Executives using Super or automatic delegates lists, Mr Valentine Ozigbo emerged flag bearer while Chief Chris Uba faction produced his elder brother, Senator Ugochukwu Uba as a candidate.
Interestingly, both are from Aguata Local Government Area, just as the candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
Aguata is in Anambra South Senatorial zone whose turn it is to govern Anambra in the spirit of zoning.
Obviously, either of the two is qualified and capable of governing Anambra State. But are they the light Anambrarians are yearning for? Do they have the midas touch? Are they with the relevant followership needed by the PDP to defeat candidates of other political parties? In fact, would PDP get it right this time around?
The above questions are germane, given the calibre of people that participated in the governorship primary. Among them are; Mr Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, Dr Godwin Maduka, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, and Senator Uche Ekwunife.
Mr Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo is one aspirant among these ‘great aspirants’, all eyes were focusing on. First, he was the first to declare interest for the PDP flag to govern Anambra state. Ezeemo marches his words with action by producing basic infrastructure, including an Air-conditioning bus, worth over N40 million and other logistics for the smooth running of the party affairs from the 326 electoral wards to the state level.
Ezeemo is also a philanthropist who had and still touching many lives across the country via his pet project, Charity Ezeemo Foundation. He has been a philanthropist from childhood; not because of politics. This is probably why he is so blessed. He transformed his community, Umuchu to London; having provided them with basic amenities, aside bringing the world into it through his companies sited in the town.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Catholic, the Anglicans and penticostals cannot forget how this down-to-earth man provided them with gigantic edifices as Secretariat, and places of worship. What of youths, orphans, widows, the less privileged, schools, and organisations? None of them would ever forget Ezeemo’s gesture. He entrusted them with skills and other opportunities as they demand, for individually and collectively. So, he does not discriminate.
It is this kind of man that Anambra people need to govern them,because he would make sure that whoever is qaulified for anything in the state gets it,no matter the religion or the organisation such a person belongs. Therefore, all these people would have voted for him, if elected as at the primary election to contest the November 6 Governorship election
Again, Ezeemo has all his companies headquarted in Anambra State. These include Orient Farm, Haulage, Orient Printing press, Orient Daily newspapers, Orient Energy Magazine, Orient Mega FM, Life table water, among others; all known as Orient Group of Companies. Some are sited at Awka, the state capital, while others are at his country-home, Umuchu, Aguata LGA. There is no single town in Anambra State whose son or daughter has not worked with these companies. Some towns have up to four of their children still working in these companies comfortably. There are also other staff from across the thirty-six states of the country and beyond.
These employees, who are voters in Anambra State, would have mobilised their kits and kins to vote for Ezeemo in the main election, if he was handed over with the PDP ticket.
Similarly, Ezeemo, being an entrepreneur and industrialist, has experience in all sectors of the economy. Is it on Agriculture, mass media, manufacturing, arts and culture, or what? He has industries majoring in all these. So, it would be easier for him to attract foreign and local investors to the state in a twinkle of an eye. This is why PDP should have considered him for the number one seat. These skills and connections are what Anambra people need now!!!
Similarly, Ezeemo has good manifestoe and campign strategies. He plays politics without bitterness. That is why throughout the electioneering campaign and beyond, he did not step on any toe. Hence, he was and remains acceptable and accessible to all the aspirants.
Ezeemo means well for Ndi Anambra and would have been allowed to change the Anambra state for good. There is still opportunity for the party to make amend, probably through substitution of candidate. Yes,PDP can do it to get it right this time.If possible, it would even be good in order to reach a consensus candidate to be presented to INEC and Ndi Anambra. They can do it to win the heart of Anambra state again!!!
Okechukwu Nwoyemezie, who is a PR and Media consultant, writes from Awka, the Anambra state capital.
Additional facts by The Reporters, online publication.
