Time to Secure Our Future with Our Votes
Being the text of a Special Broadcast on the April 11,
2015 House of Assembly Elections by the Governor of Anambra State, His
Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.
Ndi Anambra ekenem unu.
As you prepare to cast your votes in the House of
Assembly Election this Saturday, I want to thank you once again for standing
behind me and voting for APGA in the National Assembly Election that took place
the previous Saturday. Although the outcome of the exercise was hijacked at the
collation stages, actual results from the polling booths have shown that you
voted massively for APGA. From your votes, I am happy to note that you deeply
appreciate all our efforts to build a stronger and more prosperous Anambra State.
Umu nnem, daalunu!
Ndi b’anyi, the
time has come once again for us to read the handwriting on the wall. A
political wind of change is blowing across Nigeria and we must either read it
right or suffer the consequences of political blindness. The recent “royal
rumble” in Lagos State calls for a deep reflection among Ndigbo. The
controversial “royal decree” issued by the Oba of Lagos is a shocking reminder of
the fault-lines that have held our country down for decades. But it is also a
wake-up call on Ndigbo to rally around APGA and turn it into a powerful
political movement in Nigeria. Umu nnem, we must turn this tragic comment into
the clarion call on Ndigbo all across the globe to join hands and build a
prosperous economy in Igbo-land; a place where our people’s famed ingenuity and
enterprise can flourish without let or hindrance.
Umu nnem Ndigbo, beyond the ill-fated comments from
Lagos, the ongoing political re-alignment at the federal level calls for a
serious introspection and wise organization. At the moment, our great party,
APGA, has never had a better opportunity to fulfill its manifest destiny as a dominant
political party than now. Happily, we have worked on our fundamentals and we
are now ready to position APGA as a formidable counterweight to other major
parties in Nigeria today.
Fellow Nigerians, since I became the Chairman of Board
of Trustees and the National Leader of our great party, I have spared no
efforts in working to make APGA a national party. As a result of that, APGA is
on the verge of making history as all our gubernatorial candidates stand bright
chances of winning in Abia, Imo, Nasarawa, Ebonyi and Ogun States on Saturday.
I have the assurance of Dr. Alex Otti, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, Labaran
Maku, Senator Anthony Agbo and Professor Femi Bamgbose that our prospects are
bright in their respective states. Indeed, this is our chance!
As the National Leader of our great party, I will do
everything humanly possible to ensure that APGA emerges as a strong political
force in Nigeria. The basic philosophy of APGA is derived from the expansive
Worldview of our people which upholds diversity and celebrates plurality as a
pre-condition for a peaceful world. We shall continue to present our ideology
and philosophy of governance to diverse communities across Nigeria. We shall
continue to ask for acceptance across geo-ethnic and religious lines. Indeed, APGA
shall push for more territories until we have an impressive spread across
Nigeria. I have no doubt that a party founded on the principle of our people’s
universal spirit is the best option for a better Nigeria.
Fellow Nigerians, may I at this juncture, call on our
brothers in the South East and our cousins in the South-South and all Nigerians
who believe in the unity of this country to take advantage of the on-going
political re-alignment in the country and come over to APGA. We are ready to
absorb our brothers and sisters from every part of the country and build broad
coalitions that will give Nigeria the best possible democratic alternative
ever.
Now, to my beloved people of Anambra State, we have once
again come to the crossroads of history. A time comes that rarely comes in
life, when a people who are desirous of a lasting change must say so in a
profound way. Ndi Anambra; that time is now! The time to secure our future with
our votes has finally come! Ndi Anambra, in the past one year, APGA has raised
the bar in purposeful governance. We have demonstrated that when government is
sincere, open and honest, our people will heed the clarion call for greatness.
We have shown that power belongs to Ndi Anambra and that together, we can build
a prosperous state. Happily, our illustrious sons and daughters have heeded the
clarion call to repossess and rebuild Anambra State. They are now setting up
farm settlements, manufacturing plants, power stations and auto assembly lines
that will wipe out our long years of economic disadvantage with one burst of
energy. Ndi Anambra, anyi bu ife!
Ndi b’anyi, the coming House of Assembly Election offers
us a chance to sustain all these positive developments in Anambra State. The
only way we can maintain our progressive march to greatness is to vote all
candidates seeking election on the platform of APGA. At this stage in our
progress, Anambra State cannot afford the distractions of a divided house. We
must secure our future with our votes.
We must vote for all the 30 APGA candidates and give Anambra State a
chance to experience real and sustainable progress.
Once again, let me assure you that what happened in
the National Assembly elections will not repeat itself in
Anambra State. I have the assurances of all the Service Commanders in the state
and the Resident Electoral Commissioner that our votes shall count this time.
Never again shall anyone hijack the votes from the polling stations and
announce that losers have won elections in Anambra State. Never again shall we
allow anyone, no matter how highly connected, to march into our villages and
communities with an Armed Personnel Carrier as if Anambra State is at war!
Never again shall we allow our respected citizens to be beaten up by brigands
and political thugs in a raw show of power and influence from outside Anambra
State!
Ndi Anambra, We must say no to all these and more!
God bless Anambra State
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Thank you
Chief Willie Obiano
Governor,
Anambra State