Anambra: APGA dedicates victory to Ojukwu

AWKA—The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has said it was dedicating the victory of its candidate in Anambra governorship poll, Dr. Willie Obiano, to the late leader of the party, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
This came as jubilant youths and women took to the streets and community squares in Anambra State Sunday, following the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano, the candidate of APGA as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
Jonathan for 2015
The party also announced the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as its Presidential candidate for 2015 apparently in appreciation of his support for the party in the governorship contest.
Leaders of the party, including the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, Governor Peter Obi and the Governor-elect, Dr. Willie Obiano made these known while briefing newsmen, at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka, where they expressed gratitude to the people of the state for renewing the party’s tenure in the state.
Governor Obi who expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for his tremendous support to the state, which made the governorship election very successful said that APGA  would reciprocate the gesture by adopting him as the party’s presidential candidate in 2015 election.  He said the party would not field any candidate in the presidential election.
Umeh speaks
Umeh, who spoke on behalf of the party, said the APGA family was very grateful to God for the “historic victory” which he attributed to the good works the Governor Obi-led APGA government had done in the state since the past eight years.

From left – Chief Mike Kwentoh, APGA Chairman, Anambra state, Nkem Okeke, Deputy Gov-elect, Dr Wilie Obiano, Anambra Gov-elect; Chief Victor Umeh, APGA National Chairman; Gov Peter Obi, Anambra Gov; Chief Onwuka Ukwa, APGA Chieftain and Chief Austin Ndigwe, APGA chieftain at the briefing after the declaration of Anambra governorship election result in Awka. Photo: Tony Edike

He said: “On behalf of APGA, I want to say we are very grateful to God for this historic victory which our party recorded after a fierce but very easy battle for the party going by the result of this election.
“We dedicate this victory to the evergreen memory of our late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose vision and legacy have been sustained by this emphatic victory by APGA in this election.  The light which our late leader put on while he was alive is now shinning gloriously with this victory.”
Jubilation
Meanwhile, jubilant youths and women took to streets and community squares in Anambra State yesterday following the declaration of Chief Willie Obiano, the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, as the winner of the governorship election in the state.
Many people stayed up till 12.00 midnight on Sunday when the winner of the election was announced by the state returning officer, Professor James Epoke, and as soon as the pronouncement was made, canon shots were heard in many communities.
Some people who were already asleep woke up and joined in the celebration which lasted till the later  hours of the morning in many communities.
Clerics thank God
In some churches in parts of Anambra State Sunday, officiating priests thanked God for assisting the people in making their choice even in the face of obvious frustration.
At his country home in Aguleri ancient Kingdom in Anambra East Local Government Area, Obiano read an acceptance speech titled: ‘Sustaining our Steady March to Progress’ in which he thanked God and the people for electing him and his running mate, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
He called for continued support to ensure that the progress already made in the state by Governor Peter Obi in the last eight years was sustained.
Obiano on opponents
He said: “Throughout history, societies that have crossed the threshold of development have always worked together collectively as one. Development comes faster where there is a social contract between leaders and the people.
“History has shown that no remarkable advancement ever comes through without a price. As industrious people, Anambrarians are naturally built for the tasking commitment that the long stride to greatness requires.”
To his opponents in the election, Obiano said: “I extend my hand of fellowship to all my brothers who contested this election with me. I specifically urge my brothers: Tony Nwoye, Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Chris Ngige, Godwin Ezeemo and many others that I cannot easily mention now, to join us in the march to make Anambra State a better place.
“Please always remember that the blood that binds us is thicker than the politics that separates us. By my victory at the polls, the people have affirmed the long struggle of our great father, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and have also upheld his view that our people should preserve our heritage through one united political roof.”
The governor-elect said he and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke were ready and adequately prepared to expand the boundaries of development so as to place Anambra State on the map of rapidly advancing states on all parameters of development.
According to him, “we are fully aware that after Governor Obi’s glorious reign, Anambra can only advance to higher glory and as inheritors of this tradition of purposeful leadership, we shall dedicate ourselves to a life of service to be able to meet the needs of our people.”
Gov. Obi on the election
Speaking after the election, Governor Obi also said that the election was a testimony that those who hoped on winning through rigging of election would always be disappointed in the face of continued improvement in the country’s electoral system.
He assured the people of Anambra State that they have made a good choice and expressed confidence that the in coming government would not disappoint them.