By Anselem Anokwute
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Imo state governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume made a heroic entry into the state in his bid to kick start his campaign tagged “ recover Imo state”.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of party faithful who thronged his Destiny Organization Campaign Secretariat, along Onitsha road Owerri, Senator Araraume who was earlier decorated with a golden APGA muffler and flag, as the party’s standard bearer in the state said he came to present himself to the people in who the Imo state governorship mandate resides.
According to him, “the party delegates unanimously and overwhelmingly voted for him on 7th October, 2018, at the Kanu Nwankwo Sports complex, Owerri, which the National leadership of the party had since upheld and a certificate of return issued to him.
He called on other aspirants who are aggrieved because of the manner of his emergence, to shed their swords and support him to win the 2019 governorship election.He added that the office of governor is too big for only one man or family to enjoy.
Speaking further, he promised to work with open mindedness and assured that he will operate an open door policy.
In his word, “a governor can’t be deputy governor, a deputy governor can’t be chief of staff, and chief of staff can’t be commissioner and so on and so forth”. He congratulated aspirants who could not make it and promised that he will not forget, ignore or neglect them. Everybody will be accommodated”, he said. He described APGA as a movement not a political party, which every average Igboman believes is the Igbo identity, and promised not to disappoint the party.
He called on APGA members to work hard to secure the mandate in 2019 and explained that President Muhammadu Buhari as a corrupt free man, has promised a free and fair general election in which only political parties that work hard will secure victory. On the state of Imo environment, Senator Araraume said the situation is so ugly, it can only be issue of another day.
Speaking on behalf of candidates for other elective positions, Barr Mike Nwachukwu, a one time Secretary of APGA in Imo state and Owerri Senatorial candidate allayed fears in several quarters that APGA is in disarray. He pledged support for Senator Araraume and the party leadership for the wise choice while the Obowo House of Assembly candidate Mr Okafor, in his vote of thanks commended the National leadership of APGA, for the support they gave to Distinguished Senator Ifeanyi Araraume. He pledged that Okigwe zone will demonstrate their love for Araraume by returning all the APGA candidates in 2019.
