Anambra 2014: Ubah High-Jacks Governorship Debate
Anambra was a shocker, Tuesday, as the November 16th Governorship election debate organized by Igbo women Social-Cultural Organization, Umuada Igbo Nigeria and Diaspora ridiculously metamorphosed to a campaign mega phone of the Labour Party flag bearer, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah.
The debate was literally meant to create an enabling environment for 23 Governorship Candidates on the race to freely sell their manifestoes to Anambrarians especially women speculated to be the highest voters in every election.
On attendance were the gubernatorial candidates of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), Dr. Ifeatu Ekelem; Hon. Onuorah Basil Onyeacholam of Social Democratic Party (SDP); Mr. Jide Emordi, United Peoples Party (UPP) and Comrade Aaron Igweze of Alliance for Democracy (AD) while Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah of LP came at about 8pm almost five hours after departure of others.
However, mild drama played immediately Dr. Ubah and his entourage gained entrance into the venue, Emmaus House, Awka, the state capital as the event DJ and MC thrilled the arena with campaign jingles of the Labour Party Governorship faithful even as the women danced and sang in support of his candidacy saying “Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi, Ifeanyi k'anyi ga-eso…” (Meaning they have endorsed Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah).
According to our Correspondent, confusion and anger further gripped the masses that graced the debate because the Founder and Coordinator of Umuada Igbo Nigeria& Diaspora, Dr. Kate Ezeofor praised Ubah and ordered her Secretary, Lolo Kate Chibuzor to lead the group into it “glorious locomotive clapping” accompanied with dancing over 30 minutes.
This was contrary to what transpired at beginning of the debate as none of the four candidates who came earlier was ushered in with such excitement even while they separately delivered agendas to accomplish if voted in.
Earlier, Orient Daily observed that the intention of the women came to the fore when SDP Flag-flag bearer, Hon. Basil Onyeacholam fluently wooed the public in Igbo language while presenting his manifestoes as the MC interruptedly requested him and three others to support the group with any amount and they responded with promises respectively.
Similarly, the MC urged them not to exceed two minutes making speech and the women yielded in support of him murmuring that they would not vote any candidate who could not donate a kobo to them after spending whole day for a debate.
However, two hours after the exeunt of SDP, AD, UPP and ACD candidates, Labour Party members emerged in the scene ahead of their flag-bearer, Ubah and presented 500,000 naira, Ubah's campaign materials among others to Umuada noting that the Oil magnet gave the gifts just to implore them to wait while he arrived.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and two members of his entourage crucified other candidates rocking horns with him for an hour and in furtherance invited Umuada-Igbo for a dinner at his country home, Otolo Nnewi on Saturday 2nd November, pledging to do more if they assist him to clinch victory on November 16th.