By Gabriel Chy Alonta
Voters in Anambra Central have thrown their weight behind the Labour Party Senatorial candidate, Sen. Victor Umeh and the House of Representatives candidate, Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu ahead of the February 25 general elections. They equally assured their support to other Labour Party candidates at the State House of Assembly.
The town hall meeting, which took place on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Stanel Dome, Awka, was organized by the Concerned Anambra Central Voters forum.
The voters were drawn across the seven local government areas in Anambra Central, namely: Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, Anaocha and Njikoka, Orient Daily reports.
Cross section of participants during the town hall meeting
Speaking during the town hall meeting that attracted over a thousand voters, Sen. Umeh reminded his audience of the primary duties of the National Assembly, which, according to him, include making laws for the good governance of Nigeria, approving budget estimates and all requests submitted to the National Assembly, as well as overseeing government activities, among others.
While highlighting his achievements in the 8th Assembly, the LP senatorial candidate said that if given the mandate, he would continue to speak for Ndigbo as well as provide outstanding representation. He, therefore, urged his audience to support him and other Labour Party candidates during the general elections, even as he enjoined them to ignore the news of his purported disqualification, saying that it was orchestrated by his opponents who are afraid of him.
Sen. Victor Umeh acknowledging cheers from supporters
He said, “Mr. Peter Obi is the only hope we have now. We must key behind him and all other Labour Party presidential candidates. We have competent and qualified candidates who have the capacity to change the status quo. We will provide quality and outstanding representation for you when we get there because we will be joining our voices to the national debates and issues as it affects you”.
In a remark, Prof. Orogbu reminded her audience that politics is dynamics, adding that the change Nigerians are clamoring for must be matched by voting massively to Mr. Peter Obi and other Labour Party candidates, who, she said, were eminently qualified and competent to steer the ship.
Prof. Oby Lilian Orogbu addressing her audience
According to her, a new Nigeria is coming and you must be part of this story. We are making sacrifices to represent you, so you must also make your own sacrifice by coming out en masse to vote for competence, and to call back those who are not representing you very well.
“It will not be business as usual because we must sacrifice our personal interests for our common, collective interests. You must have to be partners in governance by holding your leaders accountable”, Prof. Orogbu, a human development expert said, remarking the need to curb crimes through skill acquisition and youth empowerment.
L-R: Prof. Orogbu and Sen. Umeh speaking at the town hall meeting
Also, the Labour Party candidate for Awka North in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ferdinand Onwuje, and LP’s candidate for Awka South I, Hon. Henry Mbachu Nigeria, urged the participants to support Labour Party candidates, while calling on those to serve as INEC Ad-Hoc staff and collation officers to avoid rigging elections.
L-R: Prof. Orogbu, Hon. Onwuje and Hon. Mbachu
The convener of Concerned Anambra Central Voters, Dr. Chinedu Onyeizugbe, who spoke on behalf of his team, assured his guests that the participants would support Labour Party candidates during the elections, adding that everyone present at the town hall meeting had PVC and was eligible to vote within the Anambra Central Senatorial District.
The convener, Dr. Onyeizugbe addressing participants
Participants in various interviews appreciated the organizers, urging them not to rest on their oars, even as they reiterated their unalloyed support to the Labour Party candidates.
Participants queuing up for registration at the event