From Maurice Okafor,Enugu.
The All Peoples Congress[APC] Enugu state chapter has all it takes to constitute a formidable and credible opposition that can compete favourably with PDP which is the ruling party in the state,come 2023 general elections. But lack of synergy between the leadership of the party in the state and most of the political chieftains,including those holding vintage federal appointments has been the bane of the party in the state.
For instance, the likes of the Minister of Foreign affairs,Mr Geoffrey Onyeama,Mr Osita Okechukwu,the Director General,Voice of Nigeria[VON] Barrister Mrs Juliet Ibekaku,the Presidential representative on Justice Reforms,ex Governor Sullivan Chime, Senator Ayogu Eze,are still very silent from every feature of campaigns of the party in the state,ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The state party chairman,Barr, Ugo Agballah,the Governorship candidate of the party,Chief Uche Nnaji and his deputy,Barr George Ogarah,virtually have been in the fore front of the party campaigns for the Presidency, state governorship election and all other elective positions.The state chairman of the party, Chief Ugo Agballah proudly affirms that the party under his leadership has toured round the 260 wards in the state with the party governorship candidate,Chief Uche Nnaji and his deputy, convincing the electorates on why they should vote APC candidates in the 2023 general elections.
Checks revealed that many of the party chieftains are approaching the 2023 general elections campaigns from their own initiative. The likes of Chief Ken Nnamani,a former senate president,a a front line political stalwart and chieftain of the party Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu[GNG] and immediate past state chairman of the party, Chief Ben Nwoye,among others have initiated a new movement that will launder and win votes for the Presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Bola Ahmed from the electorates.
The initiative tagged, ‘Independent Campaign Council [ICC] for Buhari/Shettima in 2023. The ICC grass roots and local government officials were inaugurated in Enugu last weekend, to campaign in their various wards and local government areas for the election of Tinubu as next president of Nigeria in the February 2023 presidential election.
Speaking at the event,chief Ken Nnamani said Tinubu has the capacity to steer the nation’s political ship perfectly well if given the mandate. He called on the Enugu, South East, and Nigerian electorate to cast their votes for Tinubu/Shettima on the election day, because they would not regret doing so if he was elected.
“Tinubu is well known to us, and that is why we are supporting him,” he said, challenging the inaugurated local government officials of the Independent Campaign Council [ICC] to go back to their respective council areas and begin aggressive campaign for the APC presidential standard bearer. He said politicking has its engine room at the ward and local government levels, hence, party leaders must all always take issues concerning those areas very seriously ahead of any election.
The immediate past chairman of Enugu state APC, Dr. Nwoye said “the 2023 presidential ticket of Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu/Shettima Kashim has re- unified Enugu state APC”
Nwoye stated, “Today, our leader, our father and the former Senate president, distinguished Senator Ken Nnamani, has urged all of us to work tirelessly for Ahmed Bola Tinubu/ his running mate, Senator Shetima Kashim.
“So, the Enugu APC has been unified for Tinubu and Shettima, and we have just one agenda, which is to elect Tinubu as the next president of Nigeria, and Shettima Kashim as the Vice president.”
Earlier in his speech, Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu [Chief GNG] who emerged as the Coordinator of Enugu state chapter of ICC,stressed that Alhaji Bola Tinubu is the candidate to beat in the 2023 presidential election,going by his sterling leadership qualities. He appealed to the electorates in Enugu state and the South East zone to cast their votes for Tinubu,assuring that the Igbos will be better off under his administration.
Checks revealed that the birth of Independent Campaign Council [ICC] in Enugu state by concerned APC stakeholders is another feather for Tinubu as some chieftains of PDP, the ruling party in the state are equally rending their voices for Tinubu’s emergence as next president of Nigeria in 2023.
Senator Chimaroke Nnamani,who is seeking re election as Enugu East district senator in 2023,have been quoted severally in the media of canvassing support for Tinubu.
Expectations are high that the weight of followership among Enugu state PDP stalwarts which Senator Chimaroke Nnamani will attract for Tinubu/Shettima 2023 aspiration will manifest when Tinubu/Shettima presidential campaign train visits Enugu state. Likewise, that of the Independent Campaign Council[ICC] led by Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu and Chief Ken Nnamani will manifest in addition to that of Chief Ugo Agballah led Enugu state APC.
