Anambra State: Ekwunife A Mother Anambra Needs Now, Says Oby Dike
As the Anambra state November governorship election approaches, a women right advocate and the CEO Pacific International Schools Ltd, Oby Stephanie Dike Amaechi has drummed support for one of the front runners and Senator representing Anambra senatorial district, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, saying she is the best candidate for the job.
According to Oby S. Dike, the ranking Senator whom she described as a mother has what it takes to effectively lead Anambra, maintaining that she has both the grassroot support, national appeal and international contact to take the state where it ought to be.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday, Oby S. Dike expressed displeasure that despite the demonstration of capacity which women have shown over the years, they are still not visible in the nation’s political frontline.
She said Sen. Ekwunife who according to her is a dogged fighter, performer and the people’s eye has shown commitment to raising the bar of welfare of the people of Anambra Central and nation at large through effective representation and quality legislation.
She said, “As a mother, Sen. Ekwunife has through her fruitful representation at both House of Representatves and Senate shown that women are special breed of leaders who are not limited by their natural formation.
“I need not re-emphasise that women as caregivers, nurses and dexterous home managers have distinguished themselves with outstanding performances, a record which is visibly there for all to see.
“Through Sen. Ekwunife’s outreach, thousands of Anambra women today sing a new song of uplifrment and self-reliance. The massive empowerment crusade she rolled out has given life to their petty businesses and new ones established. Distribution of free cooking gas to thousand of households to save the environment and strengthen the health of our women is just one among many.
“Today, thousands of our young people from Anambra Central have been taken out labour market to new breed of entrepreneurs who are not only gainfully self-employed but have engaged others.
“She has revived the hope of many with her campaign which seeks to take all children of school age from the street to the classroom. Little wonder her popularity has continually soared, seeing her give the big and mighty a bloody nose at the polls through the support of her people and goodwill of the masses she enjoys.
“No doubt, she is sufficiently empowered to re-write the history of Anambra and return it on the path of progress and abundance again.
“As the governorship primary election approaches, I have no iota of doubt that the delegates will support the dream of a new Anambra by massively voting for the tested and trusted candidate.
“Her emergence as the PDP flag bearer in the upcoming election will not only signpost the dawn of a new era in the history Anambra but speak to the fact that we are truly not a nation where women participation in politics is in jeopardy” she said.
Oby S. Dike further observed that the likes of Managing Director of World Trade Organization and former Minister of Finance, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Former Minister of Science and Technology, Omobolaji Johnson, former DG NAFDAC, Dora Akunyili and numerous others are clear examples of humongous energy and capacity women wield to reposition the country.
Sen. Ekwunife, a ranking Senator of the Federal Republic is set to square it up with other governorship aspirants in the primary election of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP scheduled to take place June 26.
Pundits believe she stands a greater chance in the race to replace the incumbent governor Willie Obiano of APGA whose tenure winds up March next year.
Her fruitful career in politics which has seen her sojourn from the House by Representatives to Senate is seen as remarkable in the country’s male-dominated political firmament.
