By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Senator Uche Ekwunife has joined the league of contenders for the 2021 governorship election in Anambra State.

Ekwunife, who is currently representing Anambra Central senatorial zone at the National Assembly, declared her intention to vie for the Agu-Awka seat of in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Friday by her Special Assistant on Media, Kingsley Ubani.

He said that the Senator made the declaration in a small gathering of people of Nri and Igboukwu in Anaocha and Aguata local government areas of the state respectively.

Ubani said: “Ahead of the 2021 Anambra Governorship election, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) today, 18th June, 2020 officially declared her intention to run for the office of the Governor of Anambra State.

“She made this known while meeting with the ward executives of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Bro and Igboukwu, in Anaocha and Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State respectively.”

Ubani stressed that the Senator was invigorated by the love and overwhelming support of the people.

Ekwunife had in the past contested for same position under the platform of Progressive People Alliance (PPA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and PDP.

So far, she is the only woman that has announced her interest to contest the position and if she wins, she will be the first woman to be democratically elected to govern Anambra State since its creation.

Dame Virgy Etiaba, who governed the state for six months as the first female governor, occupied the position following the impeachment of her principal, Peter Obi.

Others in the race include ex-Transcorp President, Val Ozigbo (PDP); Emeka Etiaba, SAN (PDP), Dr Obiora Okonkwo (PDP), and former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, amongst others.

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