From Uchenna Ezeadigwe 


Stakeholders, community leaders and party faithfuls, over the weekend, threw heavy support on business mogul, Chief Executive Officer, Anambra Rice Mill and Managing Director, Zara Stores Limited Awka, Chief Akai Egwuonwu as he officially declared interest to contest for Anambra South Senatorial district by election under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. 


The event which took place at Chief Akai Egwuonwu's palatial home, Amichi, Sunday, 1st Dec, 2024, equally saw dignitaries, wards, local government leaders and government officials appeal for Nnewi South to represent the people of Anambra South District. 


APGA Board of Trustees member and former Commissioner for Information and Culture, Chief Maja Umeh, speaking shortly after the breaking of kolanut emphasized that Nnewi South Local Government remains the only local government with twenty wards that has not gotten their fair share of federal representation among the seven local government areas that make up Anambra Senatorial Zone. He maintained that equity demands that Nnewi South is given the opportunity to take up the senatorial position. 


"We have a capable candidate whose pedigree cannot be over emphasised. I assure you that his representation will be fruitful and beneficial for our people and Anambra State at large.


Chief Umeh described  Chief Akai Egwuonwu's commitment to human capital development as topnotch citing various empowerment programmes  undertaken by him which have impacted many lives.


He urged Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the National Working Committee of APGA under the distinguished leadership of Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa and the Anambra Working Committee to adopt Chief Akai Egwuonwu, as the consensus candidate eligible to replace late Sen Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah.


Speaking on his legislative agenda, Chief Egwuonwu said some of his major areas of concern are security,  boosting Small and Medium Scale  enterprises with grant and ensuring an oversight to foster the interests of his constituents.


Discarding reports that APGA has dominated the state for nearly eighteen years, Chief Egwuonwu explained that "you cannot get tired of a party that is doing well." He cited Governor Soludo’s Giant strides on transformation and development Agenda. If you go round you see what Soludo is doing, what he is doing is what other Governors would do in a period of eight years, he is doing it in a period of two years, why would you want to change a government that is working, he queried?.


Chief Akai promised to bring down dividends of democracy, instrumentalities of government for the people of Anambra South senatorial zone. 


Chairman, APGA Nnewi South, Azubuike Osuchukwu, expressed his excitement at Chief Akai Egwuonwu declaration of interest to represent the good people of Anambra South Senatorial zone. He noted that APGA is a household name which has been able to make milestones and will continue to ensure dividends of democracy in the areas of community development and human capital building.


He called on Orumba North and South, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North and Aguata to allow and support Nnewi South represent the district at the Red Chambers.


Reacting, Ademola Orji from Orumba North stated that Nnewi South have been sleeping over their right but now they have woken up to take their right. I call on all stakeholders in the zone to wake up and support Chief Akai as the only credible candidate for the seat. 


For Hon Ifenna Okoli from Ihiala L.G.A, Hon Okechukwu Aliba from Nnewi North, Mr Ifeanyi Nwosu from Ekwusigo, and Onuwu Nguma from Aguata, all argued that Nnewi South local government out of the seven; Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South and Nnewi North that constitute the Senatorial District have no Federal representative, therefore, equity calls for the party to allow Chief Egwuonwu, as the only qualified aspirant from the council area to fly the party ticket.


Present at the declaration include Chairman, Nnewi South Local Government Area and Coordinator, Soludo support Group Anambra south, Hon Van Ezeogidi, Former House of Assembly Member Nnewi Constituency, Kingsley Iruba (Nwachinaemelu), among others.