Senator Okonkwo Denies Interest in Obiano’s Seat

By David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Senator Annie Okonkwo, who represented Anambra Central in the sixth Senate, has dispelled rumours making the rounds that he will contest the forthcoming November 2017 Anambra State governorship election.

Okonkwo’s denial is coming on the heels of the emergence of his campaign posters in every nook  and cranny of the state, announcing his governorship ambition on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that Okonkwo’s younger brother, Donatus, had two weeks ago unveiled his plan to run for the governorship seat of the state, while also affirming that he had the support of his brother who has severally run for election in Anambra State.

Donatus, who is vying on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had taken a swipe at Obiano for what he described as ‘mis-governance’.

In a statement issued by Mr. Collins Steve Ugwu, Special Adviser on Public Communications to Senator Okonkwo, he stated that it became imperative to issue a denial, given that Okonkwo’s posters had flooded the town.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt and for the purposes of public records, we wish to state pointedly that Annie Okonkwo as politically vibrant as he is, and as eminently qualified as has been established to aspire and contest any elective office in this country, does not intend to, and will certainly not be in the ballot for Anambra State 2017 governorship election.”

He described as ‘thoughtless orchestrations and a miserable script of mischief’ the emergence of the posters, adding that the intents of those behind the posters were not known.

“In all fairness,  Okonkwo is a bold politician whose courage of conviction does not come in piece meal, and makes no apologies for choices within his remit. But he is strategic and candid enough to discern that the pulse of the Anambra people whose interests he champions relentlessly and will continue to do, does not presently support the scenario being painted by these lazy labourers.

“Of course, as a committed vendor of service, sensitive to the wishes of his supporters and followers, he has been engaging them proactively and purposefully, to build consensus and strengthen alliances for the inevitable direction they will go as the election beckons. That will be done properly, colourfully and publicly,” statement concluded.