Aguata, Ekwusigo, Ihiaha, Orumba, others pass vote of confidence on Akai for senate
By Uchenna Ezeadigwe
Stakeholders, community leaders, and party faithful, over the weekend, threw heavy support on Business mogul, the Chief Executive Officer, of Anambra Rice Mill and Managing Director, of Zara Stores Limited Awka, Chief Akai Egwuonwu, as he officially declared interest in contesting for Anambra South Senatorial by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
The event which took place at Chief Akai Egwuonwu’s palatial home, Amichi, on Sunday, 1st Dec 2024, equally saw dignitaries, wards, local government leaders, and government officials appeal for Nnewi South to represent the people of Anambra South District.
APGA Board of Trustees member and former Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Maja Umeh, speaking shortly after the breaking of Kola Nut emphasized that Nnewi South Local Government remains the only local government with twenty wards that have not gotten their fair share of federal representation among the seven local government areas that make up Anambra south Senatorial Zone. He maintained that equity demands that Nnewi South is allowed to take up the senatorial position.
“We have a capable candidate whose pedigree cannot be over-emphasized. I assure you that his representation will be fruitful and beneficial for our people and Anambra State at large.
Chief Umeh described Chief Akai Egwuonwu’s commitment to human capital development as topnotch citing various empowerment programmes undertaken by him which have impacted many lives.
He urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the National Working Committee of APGA under the distinguished leadership of Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, and the Anambra Working Committee to adopt Chief Akai Egwuonwu, as the consensus candidate eligible to replace Late Sen Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.
Speaking on his legislative agenda, Chief Egwuonwu said some of his major areas of concern are security, boosting Small and Medium Scale enterprises with grants, and ensuring oversight to foster the interests of his constituents.
Discarding reports that APGA has dominated the state for nearly eighteen years, Chief Egwuonwu explained that “you cannot get tired of a party that is doing well.” He cited Governor Soludo’s Giant strides in transformation and development Agenda. If you go around you see what Soludo is doing, what he is doing is what other Governors would do in eight years, he is doing it in two years, why would you want to change a government that is working, he queried?
Chief Akai promised to bring down dividends of democracy, and instrumentalities of government for the people of Anambra South senatorial zone.
Chairman, of APGA Nnewi South, Azubuike Osuchukwu, expressed his excitement at Chief Akai Egwuonwu’s declaration of interest to represent the good people of Anambra South Senatorial zone. He noted that APGA is a household name that has been able to make milestones and will continue to ensure dividends of democracy in the areas of community development and human capital building.
He called on Orumba North and South, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, and Aguata to allow and support Nnewi South to represent the district at the Red Chambers.
Reacting, Ademola Orji from Orumba North stated that Nnewi South has been sleeping over their right but now they have woken up to take their right. I call on all stakeholders in the zone to wake up and support Chief Akai as the only credible candidate for the seat.
Hon Ifenna Okoli from Ihiala L.G.A, Hon Okechukwu Aliba from Nnewi North, Mr. Ifeanyi Nwosu from Ekwusigo, and Onuwu Nguma from Aguata, all argued that Nnewi South local government out of the seven; Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South, and Nnewi North that constitute the Senatorial District have no Federal representative, therefore, equity calls for the party to allow Chief Egwuonwu, as the only qualified aspirant from the council area to fly the party ticket.
Present at the declaration were the chairman, Nnewi South Local Government Area, and Coordinator, Soludo support Group Anambra South, Hon Van Ezeogidi, Former House of Assembly Member Nnewi Constituency, Kingsley Iruba (Nwachinaemelu), among others.
