[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he headquarters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) may have concluded plans to drop the Senatorial Ambition of Amb Bianca Ojukwu, the colourful widow of the party’s late Supreme leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Though the matter was still being in hushed tones, the new stance was said to have been given rise from impeccable opinion poll within the Anambra South Senatorial zone which indicated that she would lose when put side by side other contenders being paraded by other parties in the zone.
The new reliable stand, our sources stated has therefore put even the aspiration of the former governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim in dire straights as he has thrown everything he has in Mrs Ojukwu’s support without asking questions.
A visibly excited Ohakim had on Tuesday’s declaration and flag off of Mrs Ojukwu’s ambition asked other candidates eyeing the position to suspend the idea in favour and in her support.
The party, according to an impeccable source revealed they were favourably considering Dr Ifeanyi Ubah and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu for the ticket.
But that the odds favour Dr Ubah “for so many reasons”, the source added.
Ohakim who spoke at Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, during Mrs Ojukwu’s flag off said the Igbos will not afford to sit and watch the wife of their former leader be denied the seat.
He maintained that losing the seat to another candidate would be a disservice to Ojukwu who he described as the most selfless leader the Igbos ever had. “Those who are contesting the poll with the wife of our leader may have the money and wherewithal to muzzle down Bianca but they don’t have the same integrity.
According to Ohakim, no fewer than fifteen billionaires from the south east have been mobilised to ensure the victory of Ojukwu’s wife who she referred to as a spirit. “Bianca Ojukwu is not an ordinary human being, she is a spirit. She has double-barrel identity and double-barrel legacy.
“The people of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, have asked me to beg you(Anambra) to accomplish this mission and project in memory of our great leader, Dim Chkwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“Ojukwu sacrificed his Oxford education, his personal comfort, his father’s wealth to save the Igbo race at the most auspicious time.” he added.
Those from the other camps lashed out at Ohakim, wondering whether he liaised well with the party before picking up the microphone, just as they were bemused if he thought his few days membership of the party has now conferred on him the right to pick and chose candidates even in territories he was not very conversant with.
One of the party chieftains who spoke to our correspondent said it was clear that it’s only someone of Dr Ubah ilk and political sagacity that can wage the Anambra South senatorial election war successfully and effectively.
He added that reason why Ukachukwu would not get it was because he has had a shot at it severally but lost out serially. That the party has resolved to find something else for Mrs Ojukwu if her membership of the Board of Trustees(BOT)was not enough for her.
Mrs Ojukwu in her remarks said her aspiration was in the best interest of the people whose rights have been denied them over the years and pledged to ensure that the right of Igbos were no longer denied them once she gets to the National Assembly.
She said, “…Our people have suffered. A lot of graduates engage in meager jobs for want of employment. Traders suffer at custom offices. Igbos are suffering and that is why we are insisting on a restructured nation.
“We need a different type of representation, of showcasing what we can do for the people. We can’t remain where we are. The role of a senator is not only legislative but also oversight,” she said.
Speaking about her late husband, Dim Ojukwu, Bianca reiterated the sacrifices he made when he saw that his people were being shortchanged and massacred.
Noting that the blood of the party runs in her veins, the senatorial aspirant pointed out that, “Evil prevails because good men do nothing. To sit back and be an arm chair critic is not good enough.”