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…elicits support from a PDP Chieftain
Raymond Ozoji, Awka
The lawmaker representing Aguata Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and frontline contender in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra state, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, has declared that he is not threatened by Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and a host of other aspirants jostling for the ticket of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Umeoji maintained that neither the former CBN governor nor any other aspirant would decide or determine who eventually clinched the party’s ticket except delegates who he said would emerge through an electoral college.
The federal legislator who stated this at the state assembly complex shortly after his in-camera session with state lawmakers, noted that he was not afraid of any aspirant on the platform of APGA or any other political party in the state but was propelled by his burning desire to consolidate as well as continue from the landmarks of Governor Willie Obiano.
He said he was the most qualified and most experienced amongst all the aspirants having served as one-time Aguata local government chairman and in other veritable capacities coupled with being a two-time member of the Federal House of Representatives.
Umeoji who had also gone to the APGA headquarters in Awka to officially declare his avowed intention to join the governorship race on the platform of APGA, said if the party provided a level playing field for all the aspirants as well as adhere strictly to the constitutional provisions of the party, he would win the primary election and also win the governorship election.
He said Governor Willie Obiano has done tremendously well especially in the realm of security, stressing that if elected next governor, he would leverage on the foundations created by the governor and further strengthen security architecture in Anambra state.
Meanwhile, the former Executive Chairman of Awka-South Local Government Area of Anambra state, Hon. Prince Azubuike Iloh, has endorsed the governorship aspiration of Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, the incumbent legislator representing Aguata federal constituency at the national assembly.
Iloh, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was spotted at the public declaration of Umeoji’s governorship ambition at APGA secretariat in Awka yesterday.
Iloh told our correspondent that he was at the ceremony to show his solidarity and support for Umeoji because he believed that the federal lawmaker was best suited for the job.
He said Umeoji served meritoriously as a local government chairman and that the entire people of Aguata federal constituency could attest to his quality representation at the Green Chambers of the national assembly.
According to him, “It is not risky to support Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji. He has been my colleague when we were local government chairmen. If he gets the ticket of the party, then we can take it up from there. Umeoji is a grassroot politician.”
Although Iloh pointed out that he has no intentions whatsoever to return to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, he was at the APGA party house to lend his support to his friend and former colleague in the local government system.
He said, “Umeoji is a grassroots man and he is project-oriented. He is a prudent manager of human and material resources. So I don’t believe there is a better choice in APGA than Chief Umeoji.”
Iloh however suggested that if elected into office as the next governor, Umeoji should beam searchlights on youth empowerment and creative economy.
