Osun, Anambra youths endorse Hussein, Offodile for APC, UPP

A group of young Igbo professionals both in Nigeria and the Diaspora under the aegis of Anambra 2017 Group has endorsed a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Chudi Offodile, for Anambra State governorship poll.

This is just as Ejigbo Progressive Youths Association, hailed the election of Senator Hussein Oyetunde Mudashiru as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer for the July 8, 2017 Osun West Senatorial District bye-election.

In a press statement signed by its National President, Comrade Rasaq Ojetunji and National Secretary, Comrade David Abiodun respectively, the association described Hussein’s emergence as historic, popular and appropriate, noting that APC couldn’t have made a better choice in the prevailing circumstances.

The youths therefore praised the state APC leadership for considering Hussein fit for the great task, even as they expressed the hope that if elected, he would live up to their expectations.

While observing that Hussein’s nomination would ensure continuity, the group recalled that as a former Senator who voluntarily yielded place for the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke in 2015, based on party’s advice, Hussein remained friendly and loyal to the late Senator Adeleke throughout his tenure.

“Against that lofty backcloth, it is only fair and proper that Senator Hussein should be given the popular mandate to continue from where the late Senator left the stage. Such popular mandate will ensure continuity and foster political harmony within the APC,” the association stated.

The Anambra group, which made its position known when they visited the National Chairman of United Progressive Party (UPP), Dr. Chekwas Okorie in his Enugu residence, disclosed that they decided to form a political action committee comprising Igbo young professionals from across 68 countries of the world to change the political paradigm in the Southeast geopolitical zone.

Led by Dr. Law Mefor-Anueyiagu, the group said they want to use the forthcoming governorship poll to “ensure that Igbo do not continue in political blunders of allowing mediocre access to political office and excluding youth during elections.

Mefor told Okorie that members have been meeting via whatsapp, skype, facebook and conference calls to x-ray political developments, pointing out that his delegation was charged with the task of delivering a letter containing their resolution to endorse Offodile for the governorship poll.

He said members reached the conclusion after a rigorous background search of all governorship aspirants on the UPP platform, adding that Anambra2017group settled for UPP as party of choice for the political expression of Nd’Igbo.

In the 13 paragraph letter signed by Mefor-Anueyiagu and Dolphite Okoro, disclosed that the choice of Offodile, who was a two term member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, was based on his ideological perspective and resonance with the aspirations of young Igbo professional for a governor that can uphold the Biafra ideology of independence, free competition, creativity and brotherly love.

The group disclosed that Offodile scored 82 percent of votes to beat other aspirants to emerge as the preferred candidate of Anambra2017 Group. Part of the letter read: “We have decided to bring to you the outcome of our painstaking search in line with the agreement reached at the preliminary meeting on February 18, 2017. With due humility and sense of responsibility, we hereby forward the name of Hon. Chudi Offodile Awolo Awka as our candidate for November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.

“We shall do all in our power to mobilize support of Nd’Igbo for the electoral triumph of Offodile and UPP come November 18, 2017. It is our belief that as the political leader of Nd’Igbo, you and the NWC of UPP will accept our request and field Hon. Chudi Offodile as the governorship candidate of the party.”

Responding, the UPP chairman denied claims in some quarters that a faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded plans to hijack the party, stressing that UPP is ready to receive defectors without conditions.

Okorie also declared that UPP would hold free, fair, credible and transparent governorship primary to select its flag bearer for the November 18, 2017 governorship poll in Anambra State, pointing out the party has not and would not ask aspirants to contribute to the party’s national convention coming up in Awka, Anambra State on June 29, 2017.

The UPP national chairman explained that the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) not to seek contributions from aspirants was to ensure a level playing ground for all contestants, pointing out that although it could be said that UPP does not have much money, it would fund the national convention without levying aspirants.

Apart from Offodile, other known aspirants on the UPP platform include, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo and immediate past Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka.