The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has inaugurated its National Campaign Council for Anambra State Governorship election with the Deputy Chairman of the council and Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, expressing optimism that the poll cannot be rigged.
Speaking during the ceremony presided over by the PDP acting National Chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, at the national secretariat of the party Abuja, on Thursday, Okowa who stood in for the chairman of the council, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, explained that this is because of the new measures being put in place by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which he affirmed would make it impossible to skew the exercise.
The governor said that the party would bring every stakeholder in Anambra together to ensure that the PDP recaptures the state.
While noting that Anambra had always been a PDP state, he regretted its loss due to problems besetting the party.
Okowa stated that this time around, the party would reconcile all members that had left the party to ensure victory in the November 6 election.
He said: “I believe that as the governors spoke yesterday. PDP is set to win the elections in Anambra State. We have had very useful discussions with our candidates and also the chairman of the local campaign council in Anambra State.
“Anambra had always been populated by the PDP. Unfortunately, because of one issue or the other, we have always run into problems.
“We want to reassure the party that we are going to put in all to ensure that we reconcile everyone and that we go into that election as one body. And that definitely, we’re going to win that election by the special grace of God.
“We know our people in Anambra, we know that they are party people, we know also that there have been issues in the past, that those issues that divide us.
“We are going to work day and night to ensure that we all step out from our comfort zones and step into the field to talk to the people, and to win back all who have left the party, as much as possible.
“There will definitely be no rigging of the elections. And I’m glad that INEC itself has come out with a new device for the purpose of the Anambra election and it will be tested first in Delta State on Saturday.
“And I’m told from the information that we already have ahead of the elections in Delta on Saturday, that it would not be possible for anybody to rig elections because there’ll be no use of incident forms. It is either your biometrics or your facial capture or else you will not be allowed to vote.
“So, we are definitely going to communicate with the people at the grassroots, and we know that we actually as a party own the grassroots in Anambra State.
“So, Mr chairman sir, be rest assure that the campaign council will work with the state campaign council. Together we shall deliver Anambra State, back to the party.”
In his remark, acting National Chairman of PDP, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, while inaugurating the council said the members were carefully selected after extensive and intensive consultation across all strata of PDP.
He noted that the leadership of PDP has the highest optimism that the membership is capable and competent to deliver Anambra back to PDP come November 6, 2021. Anambra will fall for PDP.
He added: “I call on all members of the council and Ndi Anambra to close ranks and deliver the state to PDP families. The cooperation of all and sundry is expected for the actualization of PDPs dream.
“I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate on behalf of the PDP, all the aspirants, who dramatically contested with the candidate, your spirit of sportsmanship is wonderful.
“I call on you to kindly hold hands together to deliver Anambra to PDP. We call on all of us to set aside differences and look at the PDP and Nigeria above any personal consideration. Anambra is winnable for PDP.”
The PDP governorship candidate in the election, Valentine Ozigbo, while thanking the party stakeholders in his address, pledged to do all that is necessary to lead the PDP to restore Anambra to its lost glory.
He added: “I’m here to also make a pledge that we will put in everything we have to ensure we regain the lost glory in Anambra State and PDP will take over number this year.
“But I’m also here to make a pledge that not only are we going to win, but we will do our best to ensure not just to deliver the dividend of a democracy, but we ensure that we set a standard and governance with Anambra state.
“Anambra people, if you’re listening to me today, your victory is here, your freedom is here, development is on the way. I am thankful for the joy that erupted when I was announced as the candidate.
“Now, the greater joy will erupt on November 6, when I emerged as a good governor of Anambra State.”
