The entire Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State was virtually shut down at the weekend in solidarity with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Economic activities were grounded as a mammoth crowd joined the campaign train put together by the Nkanu West Council Chairman, Hon. Afam Okereke, which moved round several communities in the council area before ending up at the Agbani Council headquarters.
Women, youths and children, who could not join the train cheered endlessly as the low-bed trailer equipped with communication equipment and music blazed it’s way through the communities, causing a major gridlock at the popular Four-corner Junction along the Enugu/ Portharcourt Expressway.
Posters of the PDP guber candidate as well as other candidates from the area, including the House of Representatives candidate, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam; senate, Gil Nnaji, and House of Assembly, Iloabuchi Aniagu, took over the entire communities, as major stakeholders and who is who in Nkanu West stormed the headquarters to identify with the candidates.
Addressing the crowd at the Agbani Council headquarters former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, said there was no law book or constitution that said an Nkanu man would not go to the senate a second time.
“The law allows any person supported by his people to go a second tenure. I didn’t go for a second tenure because after serving as a Senate President, it wouldn’t have been wise to return as a floor member.”
He noted that as a second time, Senator Nnaji had a better opportunity of being a committee chairman, insisting that it is in the best interest of the people that he is re-elected.
For the other candidates, he assured the people that they would be good representatives, pointing out that the House of Reps candidate and immediate Commissioner for Lands, Chukwuemeka Ujam, would be a good representative, who will speak well for his people.
“When Governor Sullivan Chime and the guber candidate will visit here, some of us will speak. Nkanu East and West have always been a battle ground because there are people who can convince and who can as well confuse the people. Let us not make another mistake. For Nkanu to make progress we must be on board let us not be confused.
“When it comes to vote it’s PDP all the way there is nothing like voting for PDP here and another party elsewhere.
“In Enugu politics you cannot do without Nkanu; it’s the pivot on which Enugu politics revolves. My people are better off voting PDP; we don’t have alternative. We are not going to favor any sons and daughters who are unable to make it in PDP. I tried going to the Senate three times before winning. I won once, but Abacha died.
“PDP is a big party with great opportunities and If you exercise a little patience your own time will come. My role here is to encourage our pple to vote well. If u vote outside PDP it’s wasted.
“Some people who are playing Red Cross are ready to feed you; there is hunger so open your arms and eat the food but vote for the PDP.”
The Nkanu West Council Chairman Afam Okereke described Senator Ken Nnamani’s coming to the event as very significant and urged his people to listen to the voice of reason and not allow themselves to be deceived.
He noted that the choice of Ugwuanyi ended up bringing unity in Enugu. “Thus we gathered today in a show of love, solidarity to the system, to the party and all those nominated to bear our flag and ensure that PDP wins the elections.
“We can never sacrifice our people for any kobo or silver. Nkanu West is PDP and they have given us the candidates and we shall support all of them and ensure they all become victorious at the polls.
“That is why we decided to bring our candidates to speak to our stakeholders, to speak to the people. We will vote for PDP all d way. No other party in Nkanu West. If we do our job government will always remember us when it’s time. This is the gathering of Nkanu West people; the governor will come on 10th of next month but we want to speak to ourselves first.”
Also speaking a former Accountant General in the state and popular opinon leader in the area Mr. Chinyeaka Oha, assured Nkanu West people that the incoming government will right the wrongs of whatever might have happened to the Nkanu man.
“We are grateful to Governor Sullivan Chime to have given us Ugwuanyi. There is need to educate our people on how to vote. The incoming government will determine positions in the state so what will determine what we get is strength of voting.”
The state secretary of the PDP Chief Steve Oruruo said the die is cast, and that it is time for the people of Nkanu West to speak with one voice and ensure that they are part of the new government that will be inaugurated on May 29th.
He urged the people to support and vote for Ugwuanyi as governor, Ujam for House of Reps, Aniagu House of Assembly and Gil Nnaji for Senate and also support every other PDP candidate.
the Sun
