Ekwunife declares to vie for Anambra guber race

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, has declared her intention to vie for the governorship race in Anambra State.
Ekwunife, the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, declared her interest at a forum with newsmen in Awka, the state capital, on Sunday.
The lawmaker said that she was motivated to vie for the post to serve the people..
“In terms of knowledge, exposure, experience, understanding the job and being a good legislator, I have what it takes to govern the state.
“Being a woman is not an impediment but rather an advantage.
“And where people think of the aspect of culture, which demands that only men break kola, I have never seen a male governor breaking kola either.
“When Dame Virgy Etiaba was there as a governor for few months, I am sure you saw the remarkable improvement she made.
“What we should talk about is someone who would bring the desired change that we need in the system.”
According to her, the House of Representatives is the only place where you have the largest chunk of elected people with versatile knowledge.
Ekwunife argued that having represented her people well at that level, she was willing to bring the knowledge to the state.
She said: “There is still a whole lot to do in the area of roads, talk about health, women empowerment, poverty eradication, industries, among others.”
She described the crisis rocking her party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, as a family affair, which would fizzle out in no time.
She said: “There are always litigations in politics, confusion and controversies.
“It is also clear that INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) and the Appeal Court in Enugu still recognise Chief Victor Umeh as the National Chairman of the party, pending the determination of the various suits.
“APGA does not have factions.
“We have just one chaired by Chief Victor Umeh and that is where I belong to.”
She refuted claims in some quarters that she would defect to the Peoples Democratic Party as part of plans to realise her aspiration, insisting that APGA was a peaceful party dear to her heart.
Ekwunife commended Governor Peter Obi’s policies, which she said had brought development to the state, expressing confidence that in APGA she would build on the foundation already laid by Obi.
The legislator urged the electorate to disregard calls for the next governor to emerge from Anambra North Senatorial District, saying that the most critical thing the people needed was good governance and not zoning.
She also refuted insinuations that she was declaring her governorship intention with the aim of negotiating with a candidate that will nominate her as the running mate.
She added: “Nobody runs for deputy governor.
“I am running for the governorship to win, feeling and knowing that I have the capacity, mental ability, experience and what it takes to rule the state.”