Anambra: Ngige, Obiano in bitter rivalry

The bitter rivalry between the leading candidates in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State manifested yesterday at the Onitsha Prisons where the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige stole the show.

It was a mass to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of the Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Rev. (Dr.) Valerian Okeke.

Also at the event were Governor Peter Obi and the candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Willie Obiano.

Ngige, who had come later after Governor Obi and his entourage had already taken their seats, stirred spontaneous reaction among the inmates who shouted deafening and prolonged ovation with Ngige’s popular title ‘Onwa’, ‘Onwa.’

Besides, each time Obiano made any move, even at his departure from the event, there was this disapprobation from the in-mates who continued to give Ngige the thunderous ovation.

Ngige, however, was calm and merely waved hands as the occasion apparently was not a political rally, while Governor Obi remained his urbane self, composed and beaming with smiles.

The Onitsha Prisons event took place just as the Anambra People’s Assembly, a non-governmental and non-political association, with membership comprising professionals, businessmen and opinion leaders in communities across Anambra State, extolled the qualities of Obiano and his running mate, Dr Nkem Okeke, describing them as capable of cementing the achievements already recorded by Governor Obi.

The group denied ever endorsing Ngige, contrary to reports in a section of the media.

The denial was made in Enugu by the President General of the Assembly, Chief Peter Okoye. It was at a fund raising dinner in honour of Obiano and his running mate, Okeke.

Chief Okoye decried the penchant of candidates of some parties to make unsubstantiated claims in order to boost their ego and create the impression of having mass followership.

Applauding the qualities of APGA and the choice of Obiano as the party’s candidate, Okoye assured the party of the unflinching support of his members, explaining that the assembly has over 3,000 members and are mobilising to ensure that the November 16 election would produce the best candidate for the state.

He, therefore, advised the contestants to stick to issues in their campaign and avoid personal attacks on rivals.

The fundraising dinner was attended by prominent Enugu-based politicians, businessmen and women who were presented with the imperatives of electing the APGA candidates, Obiano and Okeke, in the coming elections as well as the scorecard of Governor Obi’s administration in Anambra State.

Daily newswatch

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