“Hurricane Willie” Sweeps Ubah’s Home-Base As Nnewi Rises For Obiano
In a move similar to the sweeping anger of a hurricane, the APGA campaign team led by its National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and its flag-bearer Chief Willie Obiano stormed Nnewi, the home base of Labour Party's Ifeanyi Ubah and left his support base in tatters as the countdown to the final hour of the Anambra poll approaches.
The campaign stomp which struck the Nkwo Triangle in the industrial city with colour and fanfare was the closing chapter of a hugely successful outing that saw the APGA team traversing the entire Anambra State in search of votes for Chief Obiano.
Leading the charge Chief Willie Obiano told the massive crowd at the rally ground that Nnewi occupies a prime place in his Blueprint for the industrialization of Anambra State which is hinged on four Pillars: Agriculture, Oil and Gas, Trader and Commerce, and Industrialization. These he said will lead to massive economic activity, industries and jobs, jobs for people.
Speaking further, Chief Obiano asked the people a rhetorical question to drive home his point:” Has Peter Obi done a good job?” He got a thunderous roar of “Yes! Yes!” from the crowd. He then assured that all the developments brought to Nnewi by Governor Peter Obi, would be completed and surpassed by his administration.
Earlier the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh had told Nnewi people that APGA was in Nnewi in honour of Eze-Igbo Gburugburu, Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, whose inspiration and guidance still charts the part of APGA. He urged the people to “ignore the antics of politicians who are not sure of their identity, APGA he argued represents and carries the aspirations of the Igbos and would never disappoint. We have come to reassure Nnewi that the development strides of Governor Peter Obi will continue under Chief Willie Obiano and Dr. Nkem Okeke, so vote for them.”
Just as the rally was ongoing, the Campaign Float of the Labour Party candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah in a move aimed at confrontation and stemming the enthusiastic response to the APGA campaign, emerged at one of the entrances to the square and started sharing campaign materials and money to lure people away. A section of people on the spot quickly trooped and collected what was on offer but suddenly turned round and re-joined the APGA train.
Again in a dramatic move reminiscent of its appearance and departure at APGA Flag-Off Campaign in Awka on 7thOctober 2013; Ajofia the masked spirit popularized in Chinua Achebe's fiction, once more appeared at the scene to the admiration and endorsement of the crowd thereby attracting more people to the Triangle with spill-over into the adjoining roads.
Shortly after Ajofia's dramatic entry, His Excellency Governor Peter Obi and his entourage arrived the Triangle to a rousing welcome amidst songs, shoving and shouts of “Obi kerere nke” and “O mpa” O mpa,” and “Willie! Willie! Willie,” popular songs and local buzz words which are common on the APGA campaign trail. The governor also told Nnewi to stand up and vote for Obaino and APGA since, “we are telling you the real and verifiable truth.” He reassured.
Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu, and Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu Jnr told the enthusiastic crowd to vote for APGA and Chief Willie Obiano. Other prominent sons of Nnewi present at the rally include; Chief Pat Ubajaka and Chief Obi Nwosu among many others.