General cries for Igbos in Nnewi

Anambra State’s political big wigs have repeated their positions in the Governorship vote, with former Vice President Alex Ekwueme going for Chukwuma Soludo; and former Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, pitching for Governor Peter Obi.
Ekwueme is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) like Soludo. Ojukwu and Obi both belong to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
However, the Chekwas Okorie faction in the APGA has expressed backing for Chris Ngige of the Action Congress (AC).
As far as the eye can see, Obi, Soludo, and Ngige are the front runners in the motley crowd of 25 contestants.
The stakes are high for the ballot on Saturday, prompting the Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo, to deploy helicopters and gunboats, in the battle of wits and of violence anticipated from election riggers.
Ekwueme on Tuesday urged the people to vote for Soludo, who is “well equipped” for the job; Ojukwu said he will feel fulfilled to see Obi remain in Government House.
Ekwueme said Soludo would deliver democracy dividends to Anambra.
Ojukwu, who governed Eastern Nigeria (1966 to 1970) in the days of the regions and was APGA Presidential candidate in 2003 and 2007, expressed belief that Obi has done well and should continue with his good works.
He described Obi as his favourite son, dispelling the charge that since Obi is his party’s candidate, he has no choice but to support him. He explained that his support for Obi springs more from his personal attributes as an administrator and a leader than mere party loyalty.
Ojukwu urged voters to re-affirm on Saturday the mandate they gave him in April 2003.
Ekwueme riposted that Soludo represents the best Anambra can parade, as he has the right type of exposure needed for the transformation of the state.
“There is a mental capacity you have to posses for certain positions and I know Soludo has what it takes to make a difference. Being a Governor is not an all comers affair,” he said.
However, the Okorie faction in APGA berated Obi for holding out his bid for re-election as Ojukwu’s last wish, whereas he is a leader respected throughout and beyond Igboland, who has many more years to live, and it is not yet time to grant him his last wish.
The faction announced its alliance with the AC and Ngige, a decision it took at a meeting on Tuesday.
It described Ngige as the most attractive candidate with people-oriented policies and programmes consistent with the yearnings of the people for good governance.
Onovo travelled to Awka on Tuesday and was on his way received at the Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu by General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Army, Major General Muhammad Isa.
“We have put in place measures to identify our own policemen who will be on election duty,” Onovo told journalists.
“These men will wear tags identifying them. Any thug that shows up, we will pick him up immediately and he will be prosecuted thereafter. There is no question of snatching of ballot boxes in Anambra. We will not give room for that.
“We will be there right on the ground. And if they even try it, it will not be necessary because the INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) took good measures to ensure that if they snatch a ballot box, it will not be of any use.
“We have deployed 23,000 policemen, including those on the ground, in Anambra S•tate. Every nook and cranny of the state will be covered. We have helicopters in the air, and of course, our marine section will also be there to monitor riverine areas. It is going to be tough but I assure you, we are on top of it.”
The activities of policemen will also be monitored by the Police Service Commission (PSC), according to PSC Chairman, Parry Osayande, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police.
He made the disclosure in Abuja when he hosted a delegation from the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), led by the Chairman, Ahmed Tahir.