Kenneth Udeh,Abuja
Ahead of the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship election slated for November 6, Frontline candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and current Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Uche Ekwunife has been declared qualified by the PDP to contest the party’s primary governorship election.
This is following the report of the PDP’s Screening Committee that scrutinized all the 16 governorship aspirants for the June 6 primary election after it submitted its report on Wednesday, which cleared all the aspirants.
Furthermore, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP has also approved the appointment of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseke, as the chairman of the e-registration planning committee.
The screening committee was headed by the former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Idris Wada.
The PDP in its report identified zoning arrangement as key to winning the Gubernatorial seat stating that zoning superseded partisan politics. It also observed that these aspirants were willing to receive advice from its leadership to prune down their numbers.
Asides Ekwunife ,15 aspirants were cleared to contest for the primaries also it its report the party confirmed that 13 aspirants hail from Anambra South Senatorial district and they include; Senator Uche Ekwunife, Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo Valentine Chineto, Ozigbo Chris Emeka Azubogu ,Okeke Walter Ubaka, Chidi Alexandra Onyemelukwe, Winston Ndubueze Udeh, Dr. Okwenna Ifedi Andrew, Maduka Godwin , Sen. (Dr.) Ugochukwu Bertram Uba ,Etiaba Emeka Benson, SAN and Hon. Nzeribe Marcellinus Chukwumaeze.
While Dr. Nwoye Tony Okechukwu hailed from Anambra North while two aspirants namely High Chief Obiora Okonkwo Ph.D and Hon. Mrs. Ekwochi Genevieve hailed from Anambra central respectively.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, confirmed that all the aspirants that purchased the governorship forms were given clearance by the screening committee.
According to the report documents presented by the former two term house of representatives member and current two term Senator include; Party membership card, 3. INEC voters card , Evidence of financial contribution to the party, Certificate of origin ,Birth Certificate/ Declaration of age, Income Tax / Clearance Receipts, Master of Business Administration (MBA), West African Examination Certificate (WAEC), Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree Certificate and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate
Also Speaking in a brief interview with the daily Sun shortly after her clearance, the Anambra said that her Senatorial achievements and years of experience in public service are reasons she would become the next Governor of Anambra State.
In her words;
“The people will vote for me because they know me and I know them. I have always been part and parcel of the people. This time around the people need someone that they know and understand. I schooled and worked here in this state all through the years of my life.
“I was at the House of Representatives from 2007 -2015 and I was elected as a Senator in 2015, I was there briefly where I was chairman of the Senate committee on downstream and that was the first time a woman and Southeastern will be occupying that position.
“Then I left as a result of the judgement of the court which I believe was as a result of judicial rascality. I re contested and won in 2019 currently I am chairman of the Senate committee on science and technology.
For the fact that my people have been voting for me consistently since 2007 till date testifies that I am working for them.
“Anambra is a very interesting state , and the people will always support you when you’re performing according to their expectations and when you’re not doing well the people will not support you.
“So because I am doing well they will vote for me and my works over the years will speak for me and they say that to whom much is given much is expected.
“Anambra currently needs an experienced administrator , Anambrarians need someone who understands the state and the people. The people need someone who understands the challenges confronting the state. Also, I am confident that I will be the best Governor Anambra has ever produced because I will be fair, just and most importantly govern with empathy. She concluded.
The Screening Committee was made up of five persons, namely: H.E Capt. Idris Wada (Rtd) Chairman, Sen. Ehigie Uzamere-Member, Hon. Jones Onyereri-Member,Hon. Mrs Martha Bodunrin-Member,Hon Chief.Ugwu James (South East Zonal Secretary) -Member/Secretary .
The PDP in its report identified zoning arrangement as key to winning the Gubernatorial seat stating that zoning superseded partisan politics. It also observed that these aspirants were willing to receive advice from its leadership to prune down their numbers.
In its recommendation the party suggested the setting up set-up of a three or five man panel to look into the zoning arrangement and other key Issues to ensure election victory.
It also advised that the leadership of the party outside Anambra State who have been engaging with the aspirants should immediately assist in advising these aspirants on the need to trim down their numbers and further assist in distributing other key positions of government. The party emphasised that the move will create an environment for them to work as a team in order to achieve its objectives.
The committee also proposed that the National Working Committee should ensure that all serving PDP Governors together with former Governor Peter Obi mobilize effectively all the stakeholders including the electorates in Anambra State in order to achieve victory for our party come November 2021 election.
It also recommended the South-East party leaders should parley with all the delegates, cautioning them against collecting money from candidates stating that If anyone caught will be disqualified from voting and shall be suspended from the party.
The committee also identified the importance of the participation of its party leaders in the forth-coming INEC registration exercise to ensure that the party is not short-changed at any point by any unforeseen element.
Earlier ,Ologbondiyan, who briefed newsmen after the 91st NEC meeting, said that the NEC also received reports on the e-registration of members as the NWC announced.
He said that the membership of the committee set up to conduct the e-registration exercise consisted of Obaseki, who would serve as its chairman while his Adamawa State counterpart, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, was appointed to serve as the deputy chairman.
Ologbondiyan explained that the statutory members of the committee are the National Organising Secretary, National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, Deputy National Secretary and the National Publicity Secretary.
The National Publicity Secretary said that nominations would be taken from the Board of Trustees, the National Assembly, Forum of State Chairmen as well as the youth and women demography of the party.
He also said that the NEC unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the National Chairman, Mr. Uche Secondus, as well as the member of the National Working Committee (NWC).
According to Ologbondiyan, the NEC further cautioned party members at all levels to be wary of agents of distractions and division while praising the effort of the NWC for being focused and purpose driven in piloting the affairs of the party.