By Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
The Anambra Central Senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), for the 2023 general election, Chief (Dr) Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, has insisted that the ruling party has all it takes to win elections at all levels in Anambra State, if the right things were done.
The former governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said that given a membership of about 450,000 in the state, and with the right things done, the APC would win majority votes in the 2023 general election in Anambra.
Speaking during a strategic stakeholders meeting held in Nibo, Awka South LGA of the state, on Wednesday, July 20, Okelekwe said that vote buying, and lack of commitment to party affairs were major reasons the party failed to deliver results in the past. He insisted that the APC would do things differently in 2023 to ensure that results are delivered in favour of the party.
“Members of APC in Anambra has all takes to win elections for the party. Anambra should stop being in the opposition. We must elect people and representatives that belong to the ruling party. If we must achieve this, we must be ready to work hard,” he said.
The senatorial hopeful urged APC members, and, of course, the electorate in Anambra Central to elect a senator, who will work, and deliver democracy dividends to the people, as against those that will go to the red chamber to represent their pockets.
“I urge APC members and the entire electorate in Anambra Central District to elect a senator that will give them quality education, healthcare and many other dividends that come from good governance, as against selling your votes to incompetent politicians.
Chief (Dr) Kodilichukwu Okelekwe.
“Over the years, I have been using my personal resources to uplift humanity. I’ve built houses for many. Many are in my scholarship scheme. I’ve provided pipe borne water and quality healthcare for many communities. It is because of all these that many communities honoured me with different chieftaincy titles.
“If I could do all these with my personal resources, it is evident that I will do more as your senator. I’m not going to the senate to enrich myself, but to work for my people. Life is without value if we do not live it for others.
“If politicians give you money, collect; but you should vote a person who will deliver dividends of democracy. No amount of money given to you by a politician before election is more than the benefits you get for four years if the right person wins,” he added.
Speaking during the event, the secretary of the party in Anambra State, Engr Chido Orji, said that the meeting was organized not only to unveil Dr. Okelekwe as the party’s senatorial candidate in Anambra Central; but also to sensitize members on what to do to win votes for the party; as well as putting the party in the mood of election.
“The idea of the meeting is to galvanize our members, speak to them on political participation, party loyalty and the need to make sacrifices for APC,” he said, adding that similar meetings will be organized at the local governments, ward levels and poling units, to ensure that APC members, and the electorate are sufficiently mobilized to come out, and to identify with the party and it’s candidates during the polls.
“I am optimistic that with such measures, there will be a positive turn around in the fortunes of the party in Anambra come 2023,” he added.
Charles Arinze Okoye, a professor of Political Science at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, who delivered a lecture during the event, harped on party loyalty, maximum participation, and need for party members to make sacrifices.
Okoye explained that party loyalty, proper participation and sacrifices entail that members of a political party should do everything, including rejecting monetary inducements, to ensure that the membership is intact, and to win elections.
“There is no election in Nigeria that you will not see people soliciting for votes, and giving money to voters. This is why party members need to be sensitized on the dangers of selling their votes. When you sell or buy votes, you are bringing bad and incompetent leadership,” he warned.
A participant from Awka South LGA, Mrs Veronica Udofia, who spoke to our correspondent during the meeting, hailed Dr Okelekwe’s philanthropy and political sagacity; adding that it is not in doubt that he would emerge victorious in the coming senatorial election, given his past records.
Our correspondent gathered that participants were drawn from seven local government areas that make up Anambra Central District, including Awka North, Awka South, Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Idemili North and Idemili South.