Anambra: How Andy Uba Became A Major Factor

Against the thoughts and imagination of political stakeholders, Senator Andy Uba has turned into a major factor in the Anambra State governorship contest drawing in new heavyweight supporters across the political spectrum.

Remarkably, former critics have turned to fervent supporters projecting the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate who was not too long ago considered to be a long shot in the election into a major contender for the governorship.

Besides Uba, other major contenders in the election include Charles Soludo, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Obiora Okonkwo of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of Young Progressive Party, YPP and Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

On account of the suspicion with which the Igbo have held the APC and the cloud that had surrounded him, Senator Andy Uba was not too long ago not seen as a major factor. Even more, the internal divisions in the party which also manifested in the governorship primary were seen as major hinderances to his aspiration.

Now the table has turned. Afam Ogene, a former member of the House of Representatives who articulated the views of his opponents in the party is even now his campaign spokesman.

The strength of Senator Uba’s campaign has also been bolstered by the defection to the APC of such prominent names as Senators Joy Emodi, Stella Oduah, former minister John Emeka, six members of the House of Representatives from the state and seven members of the House of Assembly.

Explaining the strength of the Uba candidacy, a source in Anambra told  GreenWhiteGreen GWG: “Andy made so many of the Igbo men of today. During the Obasanjo years there was virtually anyone that got an appointment that didn’t pass through Andy,” the source a non-partisan political actor said.

Andy Uba served as Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Matters to President Obasanjo for two terms and in the words of one political actor from the state, “Andy was the last person Obasanjo saw before going to sleep and the first person he saw when he woke up.”

The same actor said that “Obasanjo could close his eyes and Andy could put anything into his mouth,” the political actor who worked with Andy in his first coming as governor for 17 days had said.

Many of those actors who Andy helped in several ways either economically or through appointments it was gathered are gradually paying him back influencing the defection of political stakeholders to Andy and the APC.

Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Ralph Uwazurike speaking in the same direction said:

“Remember he was serving under Obasanjo then, and I can tell you, he knows how to handle situations, and he influenced the appointment of greater percentage of Igbos during Obasanjo’s administration.

“He is not the type that involves in much publicity, but has done good to Igbos more than many heard. He is a man that knows how to use dialogue to bring peace.

“What’s happening in Anambra cannot happen if you have someone like Andy Uba. They tried it in Rivers State and Wike handled them. They did it in Imo and Hope Uzodinma my governor handled them. See Obiano watching his people being killed anyhow, because he lacks capacity as a leader,” Uwazurike said.

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