Umeh: Set for Anambra senatorial race

By Emmanuel Nzomiwu /  Correspondent, Awka

On Saturday, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Umeh, bowed to pressure from stakeholders of Anambra Central Senatorial District, urging him to represent them in the Senate.
 Stakeholders from Awka South and Awka North Federal Constituency took the first step when they invited Umeh to Finotel Hotel in Awka about a week ago and told him that he must represent them in the Senate. Forum of Councilors in the senatorial zone followed suit shortly afterwards. Rising from a meeting, the councilors told the APGA boss that he had no other option than to enter the senatorial race.
The pressure on Umeh however reached its crescendo at a ceremony organized for him by APGA Solidarity Movement (APGA-SM) in Choice Hotel, Awka, on Saturday to mark his 52nd birthday. APGA stalwarts at the ceremony included the Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, State Chairman, Emeka Ojukwu (jnr.), the son of late APGA leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Mike Kwentoh and Deputy Chairman (Anambra Central), Ifeanyi Udokwu.
Others were the Leader of APGA in Awka South and Awka North, Chief Austin Ndigwe, former Deputy Governor, Emeka Sibeudu, Rommy Ezeonwuka, Ego Uzoezie, Prince Edozie Okey Aroh and members of Anambra State House of Assembly, Ikem Uzoezie, and Nikky Ugochukwu.
Worthy of note was the fact that traditional rulers were fully represented.
In a welcome address, President of APGA-SM, Ebere Okafor congratulated Umeh on his victory as Appeal Court on behalf of members of the movement, stressing that the recovery of his mandate lawfully has strengthened the movement that is now calling on all Ndi Anambra to come out and work for “continuity” for Odimma Ndigbo (welfare of Ndigbo).
“We are also organizing a birthday package for our able National Chairman of APGA, Chief Sir Victor Umeh, “Ohamadike” Ndigbo who has demonstrated intellect, wisdom, statecraft enough for us to comfortably with many Anambra youth groups to mandate him to go and represent Anambra Central at the National Assembly as the peoples Senator.
“We know that he will make definite marks on sands of time for the future of our zone, Anambra State and Nigeria. Ohamadike has dug out success out of personal struggles, hard work and determination with abiding love, grace and mercy. In every generation of men, there is always an eagle that will fly higher than others and thrive in the sky,” Okafor said.
He told Umeh that the APGA-SM heartily felicitates with him on his birthday and wished him and his family the best of all the joy that they can have.
“To Chief Victor Umeh our Leader and Hero, we say thank you so much for being who you are, and all the sacrifices you have made so far for all of us. We wish you long life, sound health, joy and happiness, peace, family love and Godliness. May God continue to bless you,” Okafor said.
Anambra Central stakeholders heightened the tempo of the ceremony when they unanimously passed a motion, urging Umeh to contest for the Senate. Thereafter, the Master of Ceremony and National Publicity Secretary of APGA-SM, Tony Uche Ezekwelu, asked the APGA boss to come forward for the cutting of the birthday cake. Other party stalwarts were invited to come and support him.
After the cutting of cake, Ezekwelu, a former member of Anambra State House of Assembly and currently the State Chairman of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), announced that it was time for the presentation of birthday gift to the celebrant.
General President of APGA-SM, Ebele Okafor, advanced forward with the symbolic birthday gift, a mace, and invited the Chairman of Njikoka local government area, Emeka Onuora to do the presentation. The council boss, who earlier seconded the motion, urging Umeh to run for the Senate, collected the mace from Okafor, appealed to Umeh again to run and handed over the mace to the Deputy Chairman (Anambra Central), Ifeanyi Udokwu who in turn handed over the gift to the State Chairman, Mike Kwentoh.
Kwentoh announced that the party overwhelmingly supports Umeh for the Senate and handed over the mace to him.
As soon as Umeh received the mace from Kwentoh, the entire venue was electrified as the mammoth crowd, comprising of mainly APGA faithful, chanted solidarity songs for him.
Making his acceptance speech, Umeh said he was overwhelmed by the solidarity shown to him by the crowd. The APGA boss observed that a motion was unanimously passed by all the Anambra Central stakeholders in attendance that he must represent them in the Senate.
“Stakeholders in Awka South and Awka North Federal Constituency were the first. They brought me to Finotel Hotel and threatened to kill me if I don’t run. Anambra Central local government Councilors met and said if I don’t run, they will kill me and today the Leader of Council in Anaocha moved a motion here, supported by youth leaders and said I must represent you.
“Before I say something in that regard, let me tell you, Igbo nation, we need a strong sense of purpose and mission. We must do something to rescue Igbo nation. Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fought ebulliently. He stood where he is today waiting for that mission to be accomplished. We must get to the Promised Land.
“I went to the National Conference and saw how other Nigerians felt about Igbo people. Our people must be given their rights. I was there for two weeks but you saw what I did. When they demanded 5 percent for the reconstruction of North East, I told them ‘Point of Order’. Igbo property was destroyed during the war, there was no reconstruction. That reconstruction must start from Igboland. They thought it will stop there and adjourned. We came back on Monday and they amended it, and said the reconstruction must take place everywhere insurgency caused destruction,” Umeh stated.
Stressing the need to give effective representation to the people, the APGA helmsman observed that there was still much work to be done, adding that “because of the support and love extended to him and relying on the support given to him, he humbly wished to accept the invitation extended to him by his people to represent them in the Senate.

Having carefully examined the support and the solidarity you have given to me to make sure that APGA wins Central, APGA must also win Anambra South and APGA North and with the support you have given to me I believe that the rats moving about in our district will be crushed. Recognizing the need to stop them, I humbly, with a great sense of responsibility, accept your invitation to represent you. God helping us, we will secure the Senate. I throw my hat in the ring. We shall give them resounding defeat,” Umeh said.
Reading his citation earlier, APGA-SM spokesman, Tony Uche Ezekwelu said the story of Umeh is that of courage, fighting spirit, sound mind and clear vision of the party and Anambra State in general.
Ezekwelu recalled that Governor Obiano thanked Umeh in his inaugural address for providing the vision and stability that made it possible for APGA to deliver on its campaign promises to the people, adding that he had helped in no small measure to foster peace and brotherhood amongst party faithful.
He described Umeh as the most charismatic, resilient and visionary leader who in his progressive political ideologies,, contributed to political stability that characterized the state for some time now. Under Governor Peter Obi, Anambra State enjoyed relative peace and massive infrastructural development in all sectors. This he made possible, participating effectively in the governance of the State. The man of the moment helped to see that the consistency of leadership and policies made were maintained and this as an indices ensured sustainable development in the past Administration,” Ezekwelu said.
Noting that, remarkably, Umeh centred most of his programmes on family and church, Ezekwelu observed that over the years, he had generously donated funds to organizations, institutions and persons to enhance their living standards, adding that he has impacted positively on education of his people, empowering poor widows and youths and vulnerable children.