A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Anambra state, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke has said that unity and togetherness among party members were critical to the party’s victory in the 2021 governorship election in the state.
Okeke stated this on Thursday at the party’s Secretariat, Awka while declaring his intention to contest in poll on the party’s platform.
He stressed that the victory recorded by the party in Edo State was possible in the state if only the members would embrace unity and love.
“There’s need for unity in the party. We’re going to work with the Igbo adage that says, “gidigidi bu ugwu eze”. That’s the only thing that would guarantee us victory,” he said.
Describing money bags politics as cancarworm that had eaten deep into the fabrics of politics in the state, Okeke regretted the place it occupied in the party, expressing confidence over the ability of the current leadership of the party to curtail it.
He said, “But if you listened to last Monday’s judgement, the party has been asked to go back and address the issues on that.
“Besides, the slogan of the party is Power to the People. Power actually belongs to the people and that’s what I believe the Ndubisi Nwobu-led government is working on.”
The aspirant who contested same seat in 2013 on same platform, expressed confidence in his ability to clinch the party’s ticket, stressing he was coming back reinvigorated.
He added, “I’ve been consistent since the party was formed in the state. In 2013, I aspired for the governorship seat up to the primary. Though my friend Tony Nwonye won, I supported him 100percent.
“Ever since then, I’ve been a committed member of the party. I’ve worked at various levels, I served as a returning Officer in the last three elections. I’ve been a member of the caretaker committee, I’ve been a secretary of the party. I understand the party and know what it needs.
“But that’s not the basis I’m asking to be given the ticket. I’m asking for the party’s ticket because I have the capacity to bring change. I’m a grassroot person and I’m on ground. I’m sure they won’t be disappointed if they give me the ticket.”
Receiving the aspirant, the Party chairman, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu advised aspirants to avoid campaign of calumny, assuring of a free, fair and credible primaries.
He said the era of money bags politics in the party was over, insisting that credibility would form the bases on the the choice of the governorship candidate of the party in the poll.
He said, “I wish everybody will see this election the way I see it. This election is not for money bags. It’s not about money but credibility.
“Credibility of candidate will be the major factor to consider in choosing our candidate. The candidate should be a grassroots person who understands the heartbeats of party members and those of the people of the state.”
Nwobu, while wishing Okeke well in his ambition, enjoined him not to abandon the party in the event of failing to clinch the party’s ticket.
