Anambra governorship poll: VP Sambo, Tukur, others campaign for PDP candidate

The vice president said the federal government would ensure a free and fair election.

Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Saturday in Awka said the November16 gubernatorial election in Anambra would be free and fair to all.

Mr. Sambo said this when he formally declared open the campaign of Tony Nwoye, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

He declared that the election would be a “one man, one vote, one woman one vote, one youth one vote’’ exercise.

“The Federal Government is committed towards making the November 16 election a free and fair exercise,’’ the vice-president said.

Mr. Sambo commended PDP’s choice of Mr. Nwoye and his running-mate, Amamchukwu Ezike, for the election.

He said Messrs Nwoye and Ezike administration would enjoy the support of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led federal government when elected.

The party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, later presented the PDP flag to Messrs Nwoye and Ezike as the party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively.

In his speech shortly before the presentation, he urged members of the party in the state to join hands to the PDP wins the election.

Mr. Tukur said Anambra people had given the state to the PDP at the inception of the current democratic era and urged the people of the state to return the state to the party.

“Nwoye is an energetic youth who had earlier given the party good leadership when he was the party’s chairman in the state.

“With the massive support he enjoys from the grassroots, especially from youths, he will certainly win the governorship election for the party,’’ he said.

The PDP chairman called on youth across the country to “relocate to Anambra to deliver one of their own,” assuring that they would be provided with adequate security.

He, however, said the task of winning the governorship election by the party would not be an easy one.

There was a massive turnout of PDP members from across the state at the campaign flag-off.

The event was also attended by many of the party’s national stalwarts, including Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha.

Others are Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; a former PDP National chairman, Amadu Ali; a former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu; and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

The rest include the Special Adviser to the President on Politics, Ben Obi; Arthur Eze; and the PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe.

(NAN)