From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of ANBEEZ Services Ltd, one of the leading indigenous construction firms in Nigeria, Dr Anayo Onwuegbu, has emerged as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for the 2023 general elections.
Dr Onwuegbu beat the incumbent Hon Toby Okechukwu, the House of Rep deputy minority leader, to clinch the ticket in a keenly contested but peaceful primaries of the party held in Enugu state on Sunday, May 21st.
The Authority observed that the rotation/zoning principle within PDP which is constituting a major factor in the build up to 2023 general elections in Enugu state favoured Dr Onwuegbu against Hon Toby Okechukwu, as most of the delegates heeded to the clarion call that it is the turn of Oji River local government area to produce the next federal lawmaker of the constituency.
Hon Toby Okechukwu who is from Awgu local government area has enjoyed a consistent three terms of twelve years on the seat and aspired for a fourth term amidst strong opposition to his aspiration.
Prior to the Sunday May 21st primaries, the quest for the 2023 Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal lawmaker to be produced from Oji River local government area gingered the zeal of about six aspirants from the local government to have bought the PDP House of Rep expression of interest and nomination form.
However, aftermath of series of consultations both with Governor Ugwuanyi, who is the PDP party leader in Enugu state and political stakeholders from Aninri, Awgu and Oji River council areas, Dr Anayo Onwuegbu dynamically became the much favoured and it was not a surprise that he eventually enjoyed the sympathy of most delegates who voted during the primary election.
One of the leading aspirants among six others from Oji River council area, Dr Eric Oluedo, told newsmen that he stepped down at the dying minute of the primary election, for the greater interest of Oji River local government area.
It was gathered that Dr Onwuegbu who is fondly referred as a ‘ technocrat in business was largely favoured in the election based on his track record of philanthropy to the downtrodden, the church and self financed rural community projects. Also for his consistent contributions to the politics and socio economic growth of Enugu state in the past two decades.
Expectations are high that Dr Onwuegbu will stir a new direction in the socio infrastructural development of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency and beyond bringing his experience as a structural/Civil engineer to bear in the choice and execution of his constituency projects etc.
