Iconic Ifeanyi Ubah shakes Anambra South, declares for senate

www.odogwublog.com reports that the founder of Afa Igbo Efuna was the cynosure of eyes at the inauguration of Governor Willie Obiano for second term as Governor of Anambra state Saturday 18^th March, 2018 at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka .

This was because the publisher of Authority Newspaper, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah who is also the chairman/CEO of Capital Oil and Gas had on Friday the 16^th March, 2018 declared his intention to represent Anambra South senatorial zone in the National Assembly.

Dr Ubah made the declaration in a well-attended stakeholders meeting of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from the seven council areas that constitute the zone held at Orton Palace Hotel, Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area of the state.

The publisher of Authority Newspaper while speaking at the occasion recalled the pivotal role he played in APGA before some elements who felt they were in power then sabotaged his efforts which he eventually led to his exit from the party.

He however said that he is back to the All Progressives Grand Alliance which according to him is just like home coming after sojourning in some other political parties.

The oil sweet merchant reassured the stakeholders that he would give Anambra zone a quality representation in the senate which according to him will translate to democratic dividends to the constituents if he is given the opportunity to serve at that level.

"In my own individual capacity, I have intervened on a number of occasions on national issues, you all know how I confronted the cabals in the oil industry who were out to make life difficult for Nigerians by causing scarcity, we make kerosine available to homes in Nigeria through our kero-direct scheme.

"In Lagos state, I realized that the Igbo are key players in the socio-economic set up of the state and I made spirited efforts to ensure that today we now have seven members of House of Representatives, we also got a good number in the state assembly.

"When Oba of Lagos was threatening the Igbo in Lagos that they would be thrown into the lagoon, I reported his case at the International Court of Justice, these and many more are what we have been doing at private capacity when not in the senate yet." He explained.

Chief Ubah said his constituents would have every cause to rejoice if he makes it to the senate because he would use his national and international contacts to usher in a better living condition for them.

"I ran TAN during the re-election bid of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, I went to Gombe and Kano states at a time many indigenes of those states were even afraid of going to their states, we went to Ibadan in Oyo state. We have made useful friends across the country and beyond which I hope to leverage on to attract dividends of democracy to our constituency.

"We have been supporting others to go to senate to represent us but there is no gain saying the fact that Anambra South senatorial zone has not been lucky to get quality representation from those we have been sending there since 1999 and that is part of why I decided to throw my hat into the ring to effect the much needed transformation.

"Everybody here can attest to the fact that I am accessible, I am not just accessible, I have been trying in my own little way to empower the youths, I am the only private individual that has a football club in NPFL, FC Ifeanyi Ubah, Anambra Warriors, youths all over the world are in the team. We have been using the football club to project the image of the state." He said.

Dr Ubah during the occasion announced that the welfare of his constituents particularly the youths, women and the aged would continue occupy the front burner in his disposition, this attracted wild jubilation from the audience.

The Coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) in Anambra South senatorial zone, Chief Titus Anigbogu (Ugwumba) said the chairman, CEO of Capital Oil and Gas has been instrumental to actualization of political dream of many politicians and as such deserved to be supported in his ambition.

He recalled how Dr Ubah played a prominent role in ensuring that the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano won the last election in all the twenty one local government areas with his novel but intimidating 'Afa Igbo Efuna' campaign across the state.

Chief Anigbogu said it would be a win-win situation for Anambra South senatorial zone to have a quality personality like the oil mogul in the nation's red chamber.

The Anambra state chairman of APGA, Chief Nobert Obi thanked the aspirant for his positive contribution to the election victory of Chief Willie Obiano noting that his efforts cannot be easily be swept under the carpet.

He however reassured the stakeholders that the party would provide a level playing ground for all aspiring individuals during the party primary as the party had not anointed any candidate for the 2019 general elections.

 Obi, who urged the party faithful to gear up for credible, free and fair primaries, described Ubah’s declaration as “a welcome development for the party.”

Contributing, Chief Franklin Onyeneke, a chieftain of the party in Aguata Local Government Area said Ubah’s declaration represented the aspiration of the people.

 “No one in the zone can deny all his achievements, especially in the party. “He introduced the slogan, “Onye aghana nwanne ya” meaning be your brother’s keeper” which APGA chants today,” he said.

Also speaking, Chief Charles Aguonyeke, a chieftain of the party from Nnewi North Local Government Area, pledged the unalloyed support to Ubah’s aspiration.

 “Recently, I watched how Sen. Victor Umeh is projecting the party at the Senate.

 “I strongly believe that Ifeanyi Ubah is one individual who can effectively complement such effort in the interest of Igbos and people of Anambra South constituency,” he said.

Princess Anukwu who spoke with Authority South-East Post commended Dr Ubah for entering the senatorial race noting that having the publisher of Authority Newspaper in the senate would be a dream come true.

She said that people who have nothing to offer the zone have been having a field day in the National Assembly because personality like the oil sweet mogul who is a game changer any day, has not considered running for senate before now.

Princess Anukwu who noted that there will always be 'payday' said time has come for the people of Anambra South to reciprocate the good nature and philanthropism of Dr Ubah by sending him to the senate.

The meeting also had in attendance local government chairmen from the seven local government areas of the senatorial zone and local government chairmen of the party in the zone.

Pix : (l-r) A stakeholder/State Chairman of APGA, Chief Nobert Obi, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and Chief Titus Anigbogu during the stakeholders meeting at Ekwulobia