Why ‘Resident Party’, APGA is Favoured to Win Anambra

Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

Why ‘Resident Party’, APGA is Favoured to Win Anambra

Result of the gubernatorial election which held today in Anambra has not been announced by the electoral umpire, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC). Feelers from our reporters suggest that election held as scheduled in most of the polling stations in the state and collation is ongoing as we file.

However, with the benefit of hindsight, this newspaper can say that among the 36 governorship candidates that filed for the election, the ‘resident’ political party in Anambra, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) is favoured to win the election, returning the incumbent governor, Willie Obiano.

The party is most likely to win, not because of the charisma of the incumbent governor but because of the cultural and historical affiliation the citizens have with the founder of the party, late Dim, Odumegwu Ojukwu. Ojukwu was the leader of the Biafran war between 1967 to 1970.

Until his death on 26 November 2011, Ojukwu was still seen as the leader of the Igbo race, South-East Nigeria and the citizens, especially in his home state, Anambra, have developed that umbilical relationship with Ojukwu’s party, APGA.

That relationship between Anambra and APGA is likely to speak in today’s election.

Governor Willie Obiano’s political campaigns have hinted on this historical relationship while he asked the citizens to vote for APGA to “preserve the vision, tradition and ideals of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi” so that the “ofo” (symbol of innocence) of the Igbo people that was handed over to him would not destroyed or taken away by strangers.

Obiano, who is facing a re-election challenge had his security details removed on Tuesday by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. Idris had said the Governor’s aides would be restored after the governorship election on Saturday.

But Obiano complained directly to President Muhammadu Buhari about the withdrawal of his security aides and Buhari directed Joshak Habila, the Deputy Inspector General of police, to facilitate the reinstatement of Obiano’s aides.

The IGP said the withdrawal was based on the previous experience whereby the military caught an ADC to a governor escorting a vehicle loaded with arms on election day.

Obiano had on Tuesday cried out that his life was in danger after his aides were withdrawn.

“This is unacceptable and a sign of what will happen. Those behind this would be disappointed because we are very ready for the election,” he had said.