BY ONYEMAECHI UCHECHUKWU
Ahead of the governorship election in Anambra State this Saturday, many of the stakeholders are speaking up on the possible outcome of the election. In this interview, Chief Innocent Ofojee, a Public Affairs analyst and Chief Executive Officer of Pierre Cardin Stores adds his voice to the election and gives reasons why Senator Chris Ngige is the caliber of man that Anambra State wants. Excerpts:

How do you perceive the atmosphere in
Anambra State ahead of this Saturday’s
election?

I am feeling that by the grace of God, everything would be fine and people of Anambra State would come out enmasse to vote according to their conscience. There is a lot of political awareness among the people now and they know that the election is about their future and they should take it seriously. The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and security agencies have been communicating with the people of Anambra State to ensure a free and fair election. We would not like a situation where there would be no violence during the election. From what I have been hearing on the Radio, Television and reading in Newspapers, I believe the INEC has prepared well. I believe that INEC would give us a free and fair election.

What is your prediction? Which of the major parties in the race do you think would carry the day?

I am not a politician but I am a committed indigene of Anambra State. If I die tomorrow, wherever I am, they would definitely take me to Anambra State. For me, I believe that out of the contestants in the race now, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Senator Chris Ngige is the most experienced in terms of ability to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state. If you observed the live debate the other time, you would have noticed that the brightest of them was Senator Ngige. He is far ahead of other candidates. I was in America but I watched it and from what we saw, Ngige excelled in that debate and it showed that he is not in the same league with others. He has a template and he is not coming to learn on the job. I believe that the best that would happen to Anambra people now is the election of Senator Ngige to succeed Governor Peter Obi. In fact, I am using this opportunity to appeal to Anambrarians that another opportunity has come and they should take their destinies in their own hands. And the best thing we could do is to make sure that we vote for the right person. I believe that among the candidates, the rightful person is Ngige. I am not saying that Governor Obi did not try. He has done his best but at this time in the history of Anambra state, we need a very experienced and competent person who can consolidate on Obi’s achievements and take the state to a higher level. Anambra is one state in Nigeria that everybody.knows is endowed with a lot of potentials. What the state needs is the right leadership that would engender the enabling environment for these potentials to be optimally harnessed. We need a leader who can give us a better result at the end of the day.

But what is your take that the APC is a Yoruba party?

Some people think so but I do not believe so because the party has a national spread. It is all part of politics and those propagating that story are doing that with a motive to achieve a goal. They want to score a cheap political point. But one thing that should be clear is that we should not base Saturday’s votes on sentiments or party. Let the people go out there and vote for the best candidate irrespective of party. The candidates should be voted for based on their antecedents. I, Chief Innocent Ofojee is appealing to Anambra people to shun sentiments and that the issue of Yoruba/ Igbo party should not arise at all. Let us vote for the candidate and not the party. He has done it before and I believe he is going to do it better now. He did not complete his tenure the last time and we should give him another. opportunity to lead Anambra State. Let him go and finish the good work he has started. You can see what Governor Fashola is doing in Lagos. I know that Ngige would even do better and we would like to see an Anambra that is even better than Lagos. We saw it before. In that period when Ngige was there, there was security of lives and property in Anambra State.
Then, when we travelled home for Christmas, we shuttled from one town to another and from one Local Government to another without incidents. There was no fear of robbery or kidnapping. Everybody was safe and happy. But today, it is a different ball game and many people do not even go home again for Christmas.

So, ahead of Saturday’s election, what is your advice to Anambra voters?

This is a time to take their destiny in their hands. Anambra people should not make a mistake this time. Whatever money politicians give to you, take that money because it belongs to Anambra State but vote for the candidate that would protect your future and that of your children. Vote according to your conscience. Vote for the person that will deliver and I believe that person is Senator Chris Ngige. This is a golden opportunity and people should not waste it. Another advice I am giving our people is that after voting, they should stay there and guard their votes until after counting.


http://sunnewsonline.com/new/politics/anambra-guber-ngige-best-man-job/

so who will we believe?.... my peeps in anambra are saying ngige... nairaland ibos are saying d labour party guy...apga and pdp Nah wash...let us wait n see.... till November 16....

Sentiments apart, I personally believe Ngige is the best man for the job too. The people of Anambra will do themselves a lot of good by voting him. If they don't however, they shouldn't complain if they get rubbish government. As we make our beds so shall we all lie on it.

Even the LATEST OPINION POLL
http://a.disquscdn.com/uploads/mediaembed/images/698/7216/original.jpg

THE GUARDIAN VERDICT on UKE ADORATION GROUND TRAGEDY
…BE ASSURED, THE BLOOD OF THE INNOCENTS WILL AVENGE ITSELF ON SATURDAY THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php/opinion/editorial/138184-adoration-ground-s-dawn-tragedy

ANAMBRA: AVERTING LOOMING TRAGEDY FOR A PEOPLE
- By Pat Utomi
“Given the way things continue to be done in Nigeria, anything is possible, as outcome but men of their word must stand up to be counted and so it is imperative that my voice be loud and clear, given the importance of this moment for which history will judge us all. Given how the APGA leadership has conducted things the field is narrowed to Ngige and Ubah, and Ngige is the man that fits the bill for the moment.”
http://citizensplatform.net/2013/11/anambra-averting-looming-tragedy-for-a-people-by-pat-utomi/


MULTIPLE REGISTRATION SAGA a.ka. OBIANOGATE:-
KEYAMO Issues 24-Hour Ultimatum to INEC to Prosecute Obiano
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/apc-demands-inec-prosecution-anambra-governorship-candidate-within-24-hours