The All Progressives Congress (APC) in its efforts to take over the seat of power in the November 18, 2017 governorship election, has set up a seven-member election planning and strategy committee, with a former Governor of old Anambra State, Dr. Jim Nwobodo, as Chairman while the former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, would serve as Vice Chairman.

Other members include Senator Emma Agboti from Enugu State, who would serve as Secretary, while Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (Imo), Senator Nkechi Nwogu (Abia), Chief Maduba Cosmas (Imo) and Chief Gbazueagu N. Gbazueagu (Enugu) are members.

Making the declaration at a meeting of South East leaders of APC hosted by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, at his country home, Alor, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, APC National Vice Chairman in charge of South East, Chief Emma Eneukwu, said the Anambra election was one in which the APC must show the nation that Igbo people were fully prepared to play the mainstream politics expected of them in the country.

According to the Zonal Vice Chairman, terms of reference of the committee are to monitor the political environment in Anambra State as regards the 2017 governorship election and report to the zone; Evaluate the aspirants and advise the zone on how best to achieve crisis-free primaries; and to advise the zone on best ways and means of raising resources for the election.

While describing Anambra State as the South East’s industrial and business hub, Eneukwu said every right-thinking Igbo person strongly believes that the state could not play the leading role required of it to open up the South East economy from the opposition.

He regretted that notwithstanding the alliance the present administration in the state formed with the past Federal Government, Anambra State failed to actualise the needed economic revolution in the South East geo-political zone because the alliance was flawed.

In his words, “The time to take over Anambra is now. The Federal Government is our own. It is of APC; the Minister (Ngige) is our own and so the Governor, come this 2017 election, must be our own for the needed economic revolution to begin to free us economically and otherwise.

“We must utilise this golden opportunity to salvage our zone and our people must be told of this imperative truth.”

Eneukwu said he had it on good authority that the incumbent government in the state was sponsoring some of its cronies to APC, claiming they were governorship aspirants under our party.

He maintained that the sole aim of the cronies wearing the toga of governorship aspirant was to create discord, distrust and disaffection within APC adding that the party has set up a powerful team to uncover the plan and checkmate their activities.

“We have set up a very powerful team to uncover this plan and checkmate their activities. Our members are therefore, warned to be careful of dubious characters claiming to be aspirants in the party.

“We have guidelines and until they are announced, and any interested member meets the requirements of the guidelines, one is not an aspirant.

“I heard one announced his aspiration over the social media, and some days ago, claimed he had joined forces with the incumbent governor. I want them to know that we understand their primary school tactics,” he stated.

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