Apart from the Labour Party, all other political parties fielding candidates in the November 16 Anambra governorship election have since their primaries fallen into crisis. But will this work for the good of the LP candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, asks Davidson Iriekpen

As the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State draws nearer, one candidate that is making incredible incursion and impact on the political firmament is Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of the Labour Party (LP). Since the Chairman of Capital Oil and Gas Limited indicated his interest in the governorship seat and his eventual emergence as the party’s standard-bearer, he has received unprecedented support from across the state, including students, youths, women and traders in the state.

These categories of people, who arguably constitute the largest number of the voting population in the state, see the LP candidate as one choice distinct from some of the known options in the battle for the Government House, Awka.

For the traders in particular, they have thrown their support for him because of the life-saving assistance and philanthropic gestures he has continued to extend to them over the years. Others also rooting for him like the teachers, artisans, farmers and transporters share near similar reasons because they see in him, a messiah who could offer the kind of leadership others may likely not offer.

Ubah, of course, knows the weight of task before him to clinch the governorship seat from the choice of the incumbent governor, Mr. Peter Obi, more so that he is believed to have the tacit support of the federal government. But that notwithstanding, Ubah is undaunted.

He has no doubt become an issue in Anambra politics such that anywhere he visited in the state, the place was literally shutdown. It was for that reason, perhaps, that his supporters now refer to him as “hurricane Ubah” as the clamour for change extends to even the traditional rulers.

Although, many of his opponents have continued to dismiss his popularity, he however put this to test recently when his sister wedded in Lagos. To the awe of other guests, 24 out of the 30 members of the state House of Assembly attended the event. It was a record in the history of the lawmakers attending a function. In addition, there were 61 Igwes, 107 town union presidents and hundreds of traders in Anambra and environs were also in attendance.

Instructively, most women who are likely to vote in the election are said to be behind his candidacy because his Kero-Direct Scheme that ensures that they buy kerosene at the subsidised price of N50 per litre. Even the majority of Okada and Keke NAPEP riders are believed to be behind him because he has continuously supplied them free fuel for their business concerns every Monday of the week in the past five years.

An indigene of the state, Chiemelie Okafor, justified why the people are desperately rooting for Ubah. “This is the greatest philanthropist we have ever seen. He has surpassed others. When he becomes the governor of this state, all our problems will stop,” he reckoned.

His overwhelming acceptance aside, another factor that seems to have placed him in good stead over his opponents is the seemingly intractable acrimony that have visited other political parties resulting from the primary elections to choose their candidates. From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), are swimming in crises occasioned by the bitterness of the aggrieved candidates and their supporters, who many fear may divert loyalty to Ubah.

The LP candidate, therefore, appears set as another ‘Otedola’ but in Anambra politics. Many can still relate with the crisis that rocked the primary election of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in December 1991, between Chief Dapo Sarumi and Chief Femi Agbalajobi. The camps of the two gladiators had engaged each other such that it impaired the confidence of the people in the party.

At the end of the day, the sophisticated Lagos voters gave the least expected candidate of a rival party, Chief Michael Otedola of the National Republican Convention (NRC) an opportunity to lead because he was deemed responsible. The scenarios in other political parties in Anambra may have put Ubah in the shoes of a repeat history.

Ubah however reinforced his promises and boosted the confidence of the people when he boasted recently that: “I want to make it clear that I’m not seeking to become the governor of Anambra State because of selfish enrichment but to build industries, provide employment for our discouraged youths that are joining kidnapping in droves out of hopelessness. I will concentrate on security to curtail the spate of kidnapping in the state.

“I will network security to reduce crime in the state to zero level. I want to provide employment by building industries. I have plans of building at least 50 factories across all the local government areas. Education and healthcare are also among the things I will focus on. I’m very sure that if there is a free and fair election in Anambra State, I will win landslide with at least 70 per cent of the votes.”

Since he threw his hat in the ring, Ubah has maintained that when elected, he would develop commerce and the market system in the state. While acknowledging that market development is the statutory responsibility of the local government, he argued that “in view of the primacy of markets in the livelihood of our people, we shall partner local council chiefs as well as investors to assist in the development of markets.

He said his administration would recapture the market’s lost glory, adding: “We will upgrade the market into an international standard. We will ensure that coastal trading is improved in and around Onitsha, Otuocha, Ossomali, Atani and others, by constructing jetties as well as providing boats and small vessels to improve trading activities in these areas.”

However, to boost his chances of winning, Ubah has chosen Dr. Emeka Eze as his running mate. Eze, scion of the royal Eze family of Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government Area, is an accomplished medical doctor with experience spanning over two decades. He is also the managing director of Toronto Hospital Limited.

Eze brings with him a wide spectrum of experience as a politician of note in Onitsha North and Dunukofia in Anambra North and Central zones respectively. The Anglican Church, in recognition of his devotion to the work of God, knighted him in 1999. A professional, articulate and dynamic politician, he belongs to the younger generation. These qualities, many believe, will complement the good standing of Ubah, a catholic and an indigene of Nnewi South senatorial zone.

When recently THISDAY sought from Ubah why he is in the governorship race, his lines didn’t change. “I believe the interest of my people can be better represented than the way it is at the moment. I see politics as a commitment to serve my people. Having succeeded in business, I think the next thing to do is to empower my people by adding values to their lives.

“We have been doing this through the Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, but being in government will give me a better chance to effect more positive changes. My people are the most commercialised people on earth. We are the Jews of the black nation; but it is pitiable that poor level of industrialisation in the state impinges on their productivity.

“When elected governor, my government will create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths so that criminals and criminality will be greatly reduced because the crime in Anambra is rooted mainly in the fact that the great number of our youths are unemployed. Our government will put an end to various social vices and menace through massive job creation.”
His takes on the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the LP candidate said: “The president is a good man who means well for the people but he cannot be everywhere, which is why the governors are there to help him. The worst is the present security challenge in the country; it baffles me. So I think the president needs real partners that can help him and that is why Ifeanyi Ubah, is contesting to the governorship post of Anambra State to build not only the state, but Nigeria together.

“My vision for Anambra is to establish a secure environment where people and industry can develop and flourish. My agenda shall largely focus on human capital development, creation of jobs, tackling security challenges in state, boosting agriculture and integrating the development of the different parts of the state. I have a very strong link with the Chinese government. If you remember a time China experienced an earthquake, I was the only Nigerian that supported the Chinese government through the Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.

“I gave them donation then, so I was invited by the Chinese government on a state visit to seek for what they can also do for me. I am glad that today my people have been trained in China linguistically and as industrial attachment to the country. I am happy I am helping my people in one way or the other.

“Apart from that, the potentials we have to tap from China can never be overemphasised. I went to China because I know it is a world economic hub and a lot of my people are there in their millions. I know I stand to gain a lot for my people through the partnership between Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation and the Chinese government. Because of that, we are looking into China as a strong partner in progress in my quest to industrialise Anambra State.”

He also espoused his plans on offshore banking, commerce, agriculture and youth empowerment. Ubah, more importantly, has come out day in, day out to reinforce his commitment to the governorship project and given the degree of spite in other political parties in the state, he might just be that unlikely nicher in the Anambra State political market that would cash-in on the unsavoury developments in other parties to coast home to victory, come November.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ubah-set-as-anambras-otedola/158731/

In the absence of my preferred choice, let Ifeanyi Ubah win it!

^

God Forbid

Summary please??

Goodluck...

But, I see a surge in east-bound reunifications in the nearest future.

Is Seun paying these OPs to just copy and paste? Ubah sef no fit read this article finish.

Its an insult to us for a non-entity, an unlettered clown as Ifeanyi to vie to rule the state with the highest number of human capital. Although he knows that he can't even come third runner-up.

Not surprised this article was written by thisday, someone has been well paid to write...lol

I can't just finish reading it.

Ifeanyi ubah may not win the election

All is politics. Anambra's already know who will govern them.

I saw the topic and was looking for the Farouk arm of Otedola only to see a campaign ad. If this is not the time the bible talked about,then tell me why Uba thinks he can govern Anambra

How much he go share ??

Nigerian journalism is getting very funny.
The writer of this piece could not even pretend to be objective.reads like a paid advert.
With all this money he is spending, i hope Cosmas Maduka has recovered his money?

I like Anambra politics, but make this man (if he wins) no take govt money pay his bank debt ooooo

Hnmmmm, so who the cap fit?

mbulela: Nigerian journalism is getting very funny.
The writer of this piece could not even pretend to be objective.reads like a paid advert.
With all this money he is spending, i hope Cosmas Maduka has recovered his money?

Naija journalist and their brown envelope reporting skills...Na wa ooo SMH

mbulela:



Ubah however reinforced his promises and boosted the confidence of the people when he boasted recently that: “I want to make it clear that I’m not seeking to become the governor of Anambra State because of selfish enrichment but to build industries, provide employment for our discouraged youths that are joining kidnapping in droves out of hopelessness. I will concentrate on security to curtail the spate of kidnapping in the state.

Dr. Uba, thank you for clearing all doubt and making it clear. I believe you.

mbulela:
Dr. Uba, thank you for clearing all doubt and making it clear. I believe you.

You sure this is not another case of 'Good-Talk-Rochas'?

Hahahahahahaha. A clueless illiterate as the next Governor of Anambra State? . Not in this life!!!!

Why on earth would any enlightened individual vote Ifeanyi Ubah when the likes of Ngige and Soludo would be contesting in the same election?

Ifeanyi Ubah is a Fraudster extraordinaire...He single-handedly defrauded the Government of Congo DR, under the late President Laurent Desire Kabila and used the Returns to establish Capital Oil and Gas Limited...He's a 419er who's presently indebted to Access bank, NNPC, Cosmas Maduka and others...

Anambra indigenes who would vote for him in the coming elections should not expect much in terms of infrastructural developments as Ubah would be utilizing State funds to set off his Debts...

I really think Ngige and Soludo are better Candidates!

Ifeanyi Ubah is not even worthy to be a LG Chairman in Anambra state...

Ubah or not makes no different

I think Ifeanyi Ubah will win in Anambra because if you analyze the top two political party in Anambra(APGA & APC),you will see that they are likely to loss this coming election.
APGA=is divided,some parts are with Okorocha which is now with APC,some parts are with Soludo, who is still fighting for is disqualification,and the remaining part still has internal crisis over who is the legal chairman of the party.
APC=as far as south east is corncen,APC is a party that was formed to carter for the interest of North and the West.No matter the person the party field as their candidate, the person will still fail,because in true sense the party is just using Ngige to gain the vote of South East.Also the deportation of the igbos from an APC governed state will not help matter.The caliber of people at the top helm of APC have alot of questionable character.

AjanleKoko:

You sure this is not another case of 'Good-Talk-Rochas'?

This one pass Rochas own. For him mind,he is talking to idiots abi?
Meanwhile oga, my mails just dey enter your spam folder.

Chino_Is_Back:


I see..its definitely not far from being true. I hate to see this guy trying to vie for the Zik's place (Anambra Govt House). Its an insult for him to even declare to rule a state like Anambra. He should concentrate on his business. Good a thing Obi has brought civility to our polity, the era of money bags are gone forever. The likes of Ifeanyi Uba are just jester..

Obiano is definitely the next governor..

and Obiano did not bribe you?