Anambra farmers: War averted as Umeh, Ekwunife fight to finish over votes

Tragedy was averted yesterday at Cana House Awka when the supporters of the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Anambra Central senatorial zone , Chief Victor Umeh nearly clashed with that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Hon Uche Ekwunife reports www.odogwublog.com .

Umeh was addressing the meeting of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (Anambra state chapter) at Cana House, when Ekwunife dully invited too  to address the meeting entered but was asked to wait outside until Umeh finishes speaking even while she was already at the middle of the hall having entered from the back.

She stood a while after Umeh was interrupted to inform him that Ekwunife was entering sequel to a tumultuous noise from behind and Ekwunife was informed as well that Umeh will still speak for 2 hours after they met him. She unlike her impatient attitude in matters like that waited until Umeh was done to come and address the farmers.

But rather than Umeh going through the other door knowing Ekwunife was waiting, he decided to move through the back door where Ekwunife was patiently waiting and with his large entourage it appeared he flushed Ekwunife out of the hall.

An eye witness said ‘’, as she was making her way into the hall, there was a whisper from Chief Victor Umeh, to the MC, and to Chief Mrs Uche Ekwunife; after which she left the hall.

At that interruption, farmers attention were divided as people at the back were cheering and shouting “Iyom! Iyom!! Iyom!!!” . Chief Umeh immediately donated 1million naira and the divided attention was brought back.

After about 30minutes more Umeh left , the executive Governor, Chief  Willie Obiano came in and consolidated on the campaign of the APGA aspirants, as he outlined his and his government’ long and short term plans for the farmers.

The farmers, haven heard and witnessed the donations thought they would go home with their pockets full of cash, unfortunately  their hope was cut short when money was shared and each farmer got but 500naira each’’.

Ekwunife’s equally large supporters nearly picked offence but for the timely intervention of Ekwunife as she allegedly said the act was to provoke her and the party but she would not bulge.

And when it appeared there was a connivance with the leadership of farmers Association, she quietly left to avoid being mocked as according to the farmers, she was not fairly treated by the organizers.

First Lady of Anambra state, Chief Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano before Umeh took over had addressed the farmers on the need to vote APGA and donated N1 Million.

Her husband and Governor of Anambra state Chief Willie Obiano later came and  addressed the farmers donating an undisclosed millions of naira to them while assuring them that a vote for APGA means the best they could do for him and the state.

Some of the farmers were disappointed that rather than discuss the way forward on agriculture, their leadership set them up to collect money from politicians. They were even more disappointed after the event as they were not given money as anticipated.

Umeh came in with his wife to explain his political achievements and intentions before adding that the PDP has three senatorial aspirants and that the three of them are still battling it out in court. He urged farmers to vote for APGA- a focused party with a vision and positive intentions for Ndi Igbo and all Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the  state commissioner for agriculture  Chief Nnamdi Meko was addressing the farmers, when Sir Annie Okonkwo another court directed candidate of PDP walked into the hall ‘unannounced’, took the microphone from the commissioner though not by force , greeted the farmers briefly and started campaigning.

As Sir Annie Okonkwo left the hall, the commissioner pointed out that he was rudely interrupted by Chief Annie Okonkwo and in a bid to nullify all Sir Annie Okonkwo said about PDP, spoke for long as he praised the APGA government and campaigned for all APGA aspirants at all level.

The witness ended ,’’ As the commissioner was about to conclude his speech, there came a thunderous cheer from the back of the hall; I was the arrival of the first lady of the state.

The first lady came in and addressed the farmers –urging them to vote for all APGA aspirants in the upcoming election. At the end of her short speech , she donated 1million naira to the farmers’’.

Umeh may have allegedly done that to Ekwunife for daring to get endorsement of his community Aguluzigbo , a day before or so and even allegedly mocked their son Umeh saying he created crisis in Aguluzigbo.