By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Barley 60 days to the November 6 governorship election in Anambra, Acting Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elder Yemi Akinwonmi has declared that the state will be recaptured by the PDP.
The party lost control of the state to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2006 when governor Chris Ngige was removed from office by the Court.
While innagurating members of the PDP National campaign council, chaired by the Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, Akinwonmi said the the party’s primary election in Anambra was flawless. He called on all aggrieved members to come together and ensure victory for the party.
“The leadership of PDP has the highest optimism that the membership is capable and competent to deliver Anambra back to PDP come November 6,2021. Anambra will fall for PDP.
“I call on all members of the council and Ndi Anambra to close ranks and deliver the state to PDP families. The cooperation of all and sundry is expected for the actualization of PDPs dream. I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate on behalf of the PDP, all the aspirants, who dramatically contested with the candidate, your spirit of sportsmanship is wonderful.
“I call on you to kindly hold hand together to deliver Anambra to PDP. We call on all of us to set aside differences, and look at the PDP and Nigeria above any personal consideration. Anambra is winnable for PDP” Akinwonmi declared.
Speaking on behalf of the council, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa who is the Vice Chairman, expressed optimism that with the deployment of technology which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded plan to implement during the election, rigging would be a thing of the past and the PDP will emerge victorious.
“Anambra had always been populated by the PDP. Unfortunately, because of one issue or the other we have always run into problems.
“We want to reassure the party that we are going to put in all, to ensure that we reconcile, everyone, and that we go into that election as one body. And that definitely we’re going to win that election by the special grace of God.
‘We are going to work day and night to ensure that we all step out from our comfort zones and step into the field to talk to the people, and to win back all who have left the party, as much as possible.
“There will definitely be no rigging of the elections. And I’m glad that INEC itself has come out with a new device. for the purpose of the Anambra election and it will be tested first in Delta State on Saturday. And I’m told from the information that we already have ahead of the elections in Delta on Saturday, that we that it would not be possible for anybody to rig elections because there’ll be no use of incident forms. It is either your biometrics, or your facial capture or else you will not be allowed to vote.
‘So we are definitely going to communicate with the people at the grassroots, and we know that we actually as a party own the grassroots in Anambra state.
“Together we shall deliver Anambra State, back to the party” Okowa stated.
In his appreciation speech, PDP candidate, Valentine Ozigbo expressed pleasure with the calibre of the members of the council and was elated at their disposition to sell the party and his candidacy to the Anambra electorate.
“I just want to express my gratitude to God for this humbling experience that I see before you today.
“I’m thankful to the members of the National Campaign Council for accepting to sell and side by side we’re marching to victory. I’m thankful to the members of the state’s campaign council led by Her Excellency Sen. Uche Ekwunife. I am thankful to the people of Anambra state for considering me worthy to be of service to them.
“I’m here to also make a pledge that we will put in everything we have to ensure we regain the lost glory in Anambra state and PDP will take over number this year.
“But I’m also here to make a pledge that not only are we going to win, but we will do our best to ensure not just to deliver dividend of a democracy, but we ensure that we set a standard in governance with Anambra state” Ozigbo stated.
The event was attended by all the PDP governors except the council Chairman Gov. Ikpeazu. Also present were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Former Ekiti state governor Ayo Fayose, BoT Chairman Sen. Walid Jibrin and party stakeholders.
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