Widow of the Ikemba of Nnewi Odumegwu Ojokwu Bianca, Dr. Andy Uba and his younger brother, Chris Uba, are in the race for the Anambra South Senatorial District seat in next years’ election.
Andy Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Mrs. Ojukwu of the All Progress Grand Alliance (APGA) joined the race to slug it out for the ticket with Dr. Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uba is contending the seat with his elder brother, a serving senator. Also in the race for APGA’s ticket are businessmen Ifeanyi Ubah and Nicholas Ukachukwu.
Anambra PDP Chairman Ndubuisi Nwobu told reporters at the weekend that the party has bright chances in the 2019 poll in the state considering the quality of people picking its nomination forms.
He said that others who had picked the party’s nomination forms for the senatorial race in the state were a one-time security adviser to the Anambra State Government, Chief Chuma Nzeribe, former governorship aspirants , Alex Obiogbolu and Obinna Uzor.
Nwobu said the party would field candidates for the 11 House of Representatives seats in the state and the 30 House of Assembly seats in the general elections in 2019.
The PDP chairman said that the likes of Chris Uba had a track record of positive political dispositions in the state and was optimistic that his decision to run under the party would restore lasting peace and victory to the party.
According to him, Uba was the godfather of Anambra politics since 1999 and had been sponsoring candidates for political positions both in the PDP and other political parties.
He said that Ubah, in the past, had political battles with two former governors of the state, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Chris Ngige over appointments and other political patronages which he came out strong.
In a report, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said Imo State former governor Ikedi Ohakim penultimate week claimed that 15 Igbo billionaires had been mobilised to sponsor Ojukwu’s widow in the poll.
Ohakim made the disclosure in Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra during Ojukwu‘s formal declaration of interest for the senatorial seat.
He said: “the Igbo will not stand and watch anybody intimidate Ojukwu’s widow in any circumstance. We shall march her opponents’ strength for strength and cash for cash.”
At the just concluded retreat in Awka, the Anambra State capital, APGA’s Board of Trustee Chairman and Anambra Governor Willie Obiano said that the party primaries would be free and fair.
He urged all interested political contestants in all the elective posts to get prepared to face their constituents during the party primary.
