Chief Onyekachi Onyekwere, a.k.a “Gaddafi,” the political strongman of Isialangwa in Abia state, and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, says he has annointed a governorship aspirant of the party, Chief Daniel Eke.
Onyekwere disclosed this on Sunday when the aspirant visited him in his Eziala Nsulu country home in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of the state.
He said that he encouraged the aspirant, who hails from Abia North, to run for the governorship, considering his sterling qualities.
He described Eke as a man of wisdom, intelligence and with the capacity to change Abia.
“Yes, I have endorsed him for the governorship. He is my candidate.
“I trust him and I believe he is the man we need to change the state,” he said.
Meanwhile, Onyekwere has expressed support for direct primaries for the governorship poll, saying that the method would help to produce a popular candidate.
He also opined that with direct primaries, those who allegedly hijacked the party would give way for genuine leaders.
“Let us be calm and focused now that the party has ordered for direct primaries for Abia. What we need to do is to get to the people at the grassroots. Those who are fighting us, God will fight them,” Onyekwere said.
He said that the national leadership of the party approved direct primaries for Abia and other states, where the party was still having problem.
It will be recalled that Abia APC became poliarised into two factions in the aftermath of the ward, local government and state congresses held in 2021.
The parallel congresses produced two leadership with Hon. Acho Obioma from the Donatus Nwankpa-led group, and Kingsley Ononogbu, who emerged from Ikechi Emenike-led faction.
Although, the national leadership of the party recognised and inaugurated the Ononogbu-led executive, the two factions have continued to operate under separate leadership and secretariats in Umuahia.
Onyekwere, who is well respected for his political sagacity in Isialangwa, is also known as a king maker in the state.
The meeting was attended by the LG Chairman and Woman Leader of the party, Mr Endy Ogalabu, and Mrs. Rose Onyendilefu, respectively.
Ogalabu assured the aspirant of the support of the party members in the area and advised him to ensure that he did the needful in his pursuit for the party’s ticket.
He expressed delight that with direct primaries, it would be impossible for anybody to hijack the process for his selfish ambition.
“On the day of the primaries, we shall stand behind our choice. Those who thought they hijacked the party would know they have nobody with them and they will quietly fizzle out. Thereafter, the candidate that will emerge automatically becomes the leader of APC in the state,” Ogalabu said.
In a brief remark, the woman leader told Eke that “for coming here to consult us, your victory is assured. I am confident that you will change Abia, if given the mandate,” she said.
The aspirant thanked the party leaders for their belief in him and promised not to disappoint them, if elected.
Eke assured them that he would work to achieve the cardinal objective of his manifesto, which centre on “reclaim, restore and modernise,” the state.
He promised to promote quality and functional education, tackle youth unemployment through training in technological skills, converting waste to wealth, among other developmental programmes.
Other party leaders at the meeting included the LG Secretary, Mr Azubuike Nwachukwu, Youth Leader, James Uchenna, and Alfred Chubuike, Chief Aniforo Ole and Dr Samuel Ekpo.
The aspirant was accompanied on the visit by members of his political structure, called Reality Organisation, including its Secretary, Uzoma Emezue, Mr. Jimmy Uche, and former Leader, Aba North Legislative Council, Hon. Jonah Onwuchekwa.
