By Gabriel Atumeyi
There was excitement and celebration on Monday, March 1, 2021, in Akwa, the Anambra state capital as renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo officially declared his intention to contest the November 6, Anambra governorship election, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The event saw PDP members and supporters from the 21 local governments across the state converge at the party’s secretariat in the Udoka area of the state capital, which caused serious human and vehicular traffic gridlock.
The event also witnessed thousands of new entrants and returnees to the party.
Receiving the excited crowd at the party’s secretariat, the State Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu and other leaders of the party, commended them for joining the PDP and assured of a credible nomination process that will throw up a candidate that would be acceptable to the generality of the Anambra people.
Speaking at the declaration, an elated Okonkwo said that he was humbled by the level of solidarity from the Anambra people towards his governorship ambition, leading to the mass entrants into the party.
“I am indeed humbled by this outpouring of support and solidarity from Ndi Anambra. You have decided to join the PDP because of my decision to contest this governorship election because you believe in me. Many of you are coming into politics for the first time; many others left other parties and others are now returning to our fold, all because of me. Your action today has placed enormous responsibility on my shoulders and I shall not fail you”, Okonkwo assured.
The business mogul and philanthropist, who recently launched a new airline, United Nigeria, said he is in the race to accomplish his God-given inspiration to rebuild and reposition Anambra state for higher productivity, and that his confidence is in God and the collective will of the people.
Okonkwo, who presented a ten point development action plan, noted that he has very strong campaign machinery anchored on the vision of massive infrastructural development, knowledge economy, and empowerment of the people, assuring that he will effectively “utilize the party’s ticket to win the election and deliver on the promises.”
He said that what Anambra needs at the moment, beyond primordial sentiments is a leader with a vision, capacity, competence and integrity, for which he ranks highest among the contenders across all the political parties.
Speaking at the event, a chieftain of the party Prince Azubuike Iloh described Dr. Okonkwo as the choice of the people and urged other aspirants to make personal sacrifices for the Anambra people by jettisoning their ambition and rallying around him in the collective interest of the Anambra people.
Others who spoke at the event commended Dr. Okonkwo for venturing into the contest for the leadership of Anambra state adding that it was time the state was rescued from professional politicians who, though are qualified to contest, however, lack the capacity to win the state for PDP.
Okonkwo’s declaration is largely seeing as a game changer in the political balance of power in the run up to the November poll with heavy weights such as Charles Soludo and Andy Uba also declaring interest to occupy the coveted office.
His declaration may have boosted the chances of the PDP which seeks to upstage the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and return the power in the state, given his growing popularity.