In a practical demonstra­tion of the move by the All Progressives Grand Al­liance (APGA) to contest all elective positions with the exception of the presidential slot in 2015, Anambra Sate Governor, Willie Obiano has embarked on visits to lo­cal government areas of the state to drum support for President Goodluck Jona­than and APGA.
Governor Obiano, who de­fied rainfall in the areas he toured to thank and sensitise the people on the expectations from them and government, pointed out that APGA would contest all available political positions, except the presi­dential slot, which he said the party had already endorsed President Jonathan for. He said: “Beyond the presidential ticket, APGA is in contention for all the state and National Assembly seats with an eye to win them not only in Anam­bra State but also in the South East geo-political zone.”
Governor Obiano, who spoke at Neni, Anaocha Lo­cal Government Area head­quarters, assured that APGA was determined to promote internal democracy by go­ing through normal primaries to enable the people elect can­didates of their choice, point­ing out that there would be no automatic ticket for any aspirant.
“APGA is on course and is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to con­solidate its dominance in the entire South-East zone start­ing with Anambra State,” Obiano stated. The governor and his entourage received a rousing reception at Ajalli, Orumba North Local Govern­ment Area during the tour, ex­pressing satisfaction with the strong grassroots support en­joyed by the party and urging them not to relent. He thanked the people for the remarkable support given to his admin­istration and assured that he would not let them down.
At Aguata Local Govern­ment Area of the state, Gov­ernor Obiano said his ad­ministration would sustain equitable distribution of de­mocracy dividends, stressing that all communities and lo­cal government areas would receive their fair share of political appointments and infrastructure development, including roads leading to ag­ricultural basins and industrial layouts.
He explained that the visits would afford him the opportu­nity for close interaction with the people to feel their pulse, identify their problems and harness ideas on the future of the party, stressing that APGA had continued to grow from strength to strength.
Speaking at Umunze, Orumba South Local Govern­ment Area of the State and Awka South Local Govern­ment Area respectively, Gov­ernor Obiano restated that APGA would not impose any candidate on the people and disclosed that more people had declared for the party be­cause of its ideological lean­ing on equity and fairness.
On his part, the National Chairman of the party, Sir Vic­tor Umeh, who accompanied Governor Obiano throughout the grassroots visits, stated that APGA remained a viable platform for Ndigbo to project a stronger voice and presence in the country and occupy the right position in national af­fairs. Observing that the gov­ernor had started on a strong footing and fulfilled his prom­ises of ensuring continuity, Chief Umeh expressed satis­faction that the governor had shown readiness to expand the frontiers of the party and defend its interest.
Umeh stated that the gov­ernor’s achievements, espe­cially in the areas of security and implementation of devel­opment pillars, had restored smiles on the faces of the people and created a condu­cive environment for socio-economic activities to survive and thrive.
In their separate speeches, the members representing Anaocha I and Anaocha II in the State House of Assembly, Anselem Duru and Ebere Ejiofor respectively and their Aguata II counterpart, Ikem Uzoezie, as well as Awka South counterpart, Harford Oseke said the governor had sustained a high tempo of infrastructure development, completed some on-going projects and initiated new ones.
Their counterparts for Orumba North and Orumba South, Romanus Obi and Princess Nikky Ugochukwu noted that the governor had justified the confidence re­posed in him, and assured that the legislature would continue to give him total support to turn around the state.
The Chairman of Aguata Local Government Council, Mr. Chuma Umeoji and his Orumba North and Orumba South counterparts, Messrs Okey Enekwe and John On­yeakpa respectively, praised the governor for the vari­ous interventions in their areas, noting that the gover­nor had brought a new dawn that had impacted positively on the lives of the people.
Also speaking, Chairman of Awka South Local Gov­ernment Council, Mr. Azu­buike Iloh expressed gratitude to Governor Obiano for his relentless efforts to give the state a befitting capital status, while his Anaocha counter­part, Mr. Ikeobi Ejiofor com­mended the governor for the policy thrust of his adminis­tration.

Obiano defies rain, takes Jonathan, APGA support mission to grassroots