Anambra guber poll: How the contestants stand

Razaq Bamidele

In six days’ time, on Saturday, November 6, to be precise, the Anambra State governorship election fixed by Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will come up. The election is to get a successor for the outgoing governor, Willie Obiano of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

However, from the looks of things, nobody should have the illusion that the exercise in Anambra would be a tea party in the sense that all the political parties participating in the election have shown expected seriousness to carry the day. With the scenario on the ground, the battle is going to be a triangular one among the three formidable parties in the state.

The parties are the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, in any political contest, no party is expected to be underrated, as experience has shown that tables have turned against supposed mighty political parties in favour of supposed weaker ones. Results of Kaduna and Lagos States in the Second Republic are instances where the underdogs eventually became Lords of the Manor in the Government Houses of the two states.

Nevertheless, this write-up is geared towards examining some notable contestants put forward by the parties, participating in the election vis a vis their chances of carrying the day.

On the list of governorship candidates released by the INEC on October 7, this year, 18 were cleared to vie on the ticket of their various political parties.

And here is the list of the candidates, their political parties along with their deputies as published by the INEC:

Charles Soludo

Professor Charles Soludo is the candidate for the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state. He needs no introduction because he is popular as a world reputable financial expert, who was once Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He had also tried his luck in the presidential race before coming back home with the aspiration to use his experience to serve his state.

His chance of winning depends on how the people of Anambra view the performance of APGA government under the outgoing Governor, Willie Obiano. If satisfactory to them and they want continuity, Soludo is as good as being an awaiting governor of Anambra State.

Andy Uba, APC

Emmanuel Nnamdi Uba, a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is the candidate of the ruling APC at the federal level. He has also been a recurring decimal on the political terrain of the country. He was a presidential aide to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Domestic Affairs.

He became governor of the state briefly before the court ruled that the tenure of the then governor, Peter Obi, was yet to expire.

His chance of winning depends on how the people of the state see the performance of the APC government in Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari. In addition, he is a grassroots politician, who is said to be generous and accessible.

Valentine Ozigbo , PDP

A brilliant banker, financial guru and business tycoon, Ozigbo is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  He is the immediate past President and Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria PLC (Transcorp).

Although, he is not seen as a political force, efforts of his party to come back to Aso Villa in 2023 may give him the push to spring a surprise.

Etiaba Chukwuogo, AA

Etiaba Chukwuogo will stand for the Action Alliance (AA). Although his name may not ring a bell, emerging as a governorship candidate of a party not deregistered by the INEC is a testimony of popularity.

His chance will depend on his interpersonal relations with the people of the state because his platform appears weak.

Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo,  ADC

He is the candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in the Saturday election. He is a political leader, who has served as the Special Advisor on Technical Matters to President Goodluck Jonathan and Secretary/Member of the Presidential Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program Committee until August 2013.

His name may appear not striking and his party not so popular on the political scene. His chance will depend on his underground work among his people at home.

Ifeanyi Ubah, YPP

Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is an oil magnate and the current Senator, representing Anambra South Senatorial District in the Senate. His name has been constant on the political turf, hence his success to be in the Senate.

However, his chance would be how to translate his popularity to votes, especially on the platform of his party, the Young Peoples Party (YPP).

Dr Obiora Okonkwo, ZLP

Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, resigned from the PDP to become the Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). His name may not be very popular.  His chance will depend on his conviction that individuals and not political party would win the coming election.

He was reported to have awarded a road contract, saying the people have not been enjoying dividends of democracy sufficiently. Only the coming Saturday election could tell how long that would take him.

  Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, AAC

Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo is the candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) to contest the Saturday, November 6 governorship election. Nothing much is known about him on the national political turf but he expressed confidence of victory, asserting in an interview that his chances of winning were getting brighter every day towards the D-Day.

In fact, the rest of the candidates for the election on Saturday could be categorised as weak materials vying on not too popular platforms. People can, therefore, keep their fingers crossed based on the submission of Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), who said, personality and not party would win the election.

The other candidates in that category and their parties are: Godwin Maduka of Accord; Ume-Ezeoke Douglas of ADP; Onyejegbu Okwudili of APM; Azubuike Echetebu of APP; Chika Okeke of BP; Agbasimalo Emmanuel of LP; Ohajimkpo Emeka of NNPP; Ezenwafor Victor of RNM; Nnamdi Nwawuo of PRP  and Uzoh Godwin of SDP.

Conclusion

By this time next week, the 18 contestants would have gone, would have seen and would have either conquered or been conquered. What is, however, clear is that if the election eventually holds; only one out of the candidates would be declared the winner for his party.