Anambra Guber: Former APGA Guber Aspirant, Umeoji, Two Lawmakers Dump APGA For APC

A former frontline governorship aspirant in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Chukwuma Umeoji, yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with two members of the State House of Assembly ahead of Saturday’s election.

The APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, who formally welcomed Umeoji into the APC yesterday, described the House of Representatives member as a game changer.

He said with Umeoji now in the APC, the party is confident more than before of carrying the day on Saturday.

Buni also said that with the defection of the two State Assembly members to the APC, APGA has lost its simple majority in the state and has become a minority party in the state, while APC has become the majority party in the State House of Assembly.

He promised the new members equal opportunities as other members.

Buni had told Umeoji that “APC will stand for you and your supporters, and protect your political interests at all times. You will enjoy every privilege enjoyed by every member of the party”.

Politicians should allow peace to reign, says CAN Presiden

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Rev Samson Ayokunle, appealed to politicians in Anambra State  to play by the rule and allow peace to reign during the election.

Ayokunle said in an interview with The Nation at the 60th Diamond Jubilee of God’s Faithfulness and Launching of N250m Ultra-Modern, Multi-Purpose Hall Sanctuary Dedication of the First Baptist Church, Itire, Lagos that politicians should know that the peace of the people of Anambra is greater that the ambition of anyone .

“Let the people choose the person they want to serve them; don’t cause mayhem. When you have caused mayhem, who are you going to rule over? The politicians should melon down and allow peace to reign,” he said.

Catholic Bishop says Nov 6 governorship election in Anambra must hold

Also speaking yesterday ahead of the election, the Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Jonas-Benson Okoye, said the polls must proceed as scheduled.

He said he took the position because the alternative was to have a constitutional crisis in the state.

“Many are trying to frustrate preparations for the election. This is a sign that if we don’t vote, they will destroy us and our faith,” he said.

“We can’t get justice or freedom by sitting at home. The only thing to do to save the situation is to come out next Saturday with your Permanent Voter Cards to vote for the right candidate,” he said.

Okoye spoke at the funeral mass for Chief Julius Odinigwe, a staunch member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Enugu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

He asked eligible members of the church and people of Anambra to go out and cast their votes on Election Day.

The bishop said his message to further awaken the people on the need to ensure the governorship election held became necessary to avert the Constitutional crisis that could follow the disruption of the exercise.

He admonished voters to choose a candidate that would save the people and not entertain fears to cast their votes.

Anambra police partner Ohaneze, Vote Not Fight on violence-free poll

Anambra State Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng said the police were ready to provide a safe and enabling atmosphere for the smooth conduct of the election .

Receiving a delegation of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo youth-wing and the Vote Not Fight campaign team at the Command Headquarters, Echeng assured both groups of collaboration with the Command, calling on the citizens to show genuine patriotism in promoting public security, safety and peace in the state.

He charged them to remain law-abiding, vigilant and continue to support the police and other security agencies to combat all forms of criminality and ensure hitch-free election.

He said: “I’m excited this initiative is coming from the youths, which is a sign of hope for the future. We believe that if the youths say there won’t be violence, then there won’t be because some of them don’t even know what they’re doing.

“We need to consistently sensitise them on the need for a peaceful election. On our part, we’re ready to partner with you because we can’t do it alone. We’ll provide adequate security for the electorate.”