Dr. Willie Obiano
Those who might likely vote for the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr. Willie Obiano, in today’s election would probably be doing so on the basis of preference for continuity in governance.
Saturday PUNCH observed that the feelings of many eligible voters in the state are that of fear – fear of the unknown and fear of going back to the days when money was shared and no work was done.
Some voters told our correspondent that they had rather vote the APGA candidate than vote for someone that would simply take the state to the era between May 1999 and March 2006, when the godfathers’ phenomenon and money sharing reigned supreme, yet no work was done.
To them, they would follow the path of voting the devil they know, rather than the angel they don’t know.
A resident of Awka, Mr. Romeo Okonkwo, said, “I don’t think the present APGA leadership has been so wonderful, but they have tried. And most of us believe that the only way their efforts can be consolidated upon is to ensure that someone among them is allowed to come in and continue with the programmes on ground.
“It’s not that we don’t like money, we do. But Anambra State must work and that is why we are waiting for Obiano to be announced winner of the election.”
Already, the rumour of Obiano’s disqualification is making rounds at the various prospective polling booths, and this may just be swaying the votes in the direction of the opposition.
More so, the PDP candidate, Dr. Tony Nwoye, could possibly share the votes at Anambra North Senatorial District with Obiano, as both of them hail from that senatorial zone.
But the state Commissioner for Information and Director- General of Willie Obiano Campaign Organisation, Dr. Joe-Martins Uzodike, thinks otherwise on these two probable weaknesses of the APGA candidate.
On the rumoured disqualification of Obiano, Uzodike said the party met with the Independent National Electoral Commission some hours before the election, and Obiano stood out as one of the only two graduates contesting the election.
“It is only a court of competent jurisdiction that can disqualify one from contesting an election, not rumour or agitation. There must be certain ingredients to convict or disqualify someone,” he said.
Uzodike said the party had campaigned vigorously, sampled opinions and was sure of victory, irrespective of Obiano sharing the votes in Anambra North zone with Nwoye.
“We are on top – distant top. We are already winning in five out of seven local government areas in Anambra North zone, so all that noise of sharing votes holds no water,” he said.
More so, popular Nollywood actor, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, said majority of artistes in Nigeria are from Anambra State and most of them had arrived the state to vote APGA.
Udokwu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Obi on Creative Media, is about the only one in Nollywood usually seen at Obiano’s campaign train, against the hundreds on Ngige’s side.
But he said, “If my colleagues were invited for a meeting with one of the candidates and they attended, that does not translate to victory for the candidate.’’
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