As stakeholders insist that it is the turn of Anambra West to produce the next representative of Anambra East/West Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers, the choice seems to have been narrowed to either Hon. Victor Okoye, the flagbearer of All Progressives Congress (APC) or Sir Peter Aniekwe, the Labour Party (LP) candidate.
The question many ask now is who among Okoye (Obatobie) and Aniekwe (Macpee) will be a stronger option to ensure that a candidate of Anambra West wins the seat. Okoye and Aniekwe are the most prominent talked-about candidates amongst House of Representatives contestants in Anambra West.
Multichannels247, an online newspaper, in an interview with people on the chances of the two candidates observed divergent views.
While some opine that based on equity, justice, fairness and competence, any of the Anambra West candidates should have smooth ride to victory, others advised that Anambra West must not divide their votes, but must stand together and choose one candidate if they are serious about winning the House of Representatives seat. In their views, if proper permutations are not done and Obatobie and MacPee go for the election, separately, the chances of Obidigwe defeating all of them is very high.
Part of the reasons they gave is that already Anambra East has more voting strength than Anambra West and Obinna Emenake does not pose a strong challenge to Obidigwe in Anambra East. While in Anambra West, Macpee and Obatobie have almost equal size of supporters and will share the votes in Anambra West which will give Obidigwe an edge. They suggested that what is needed in Anambra West is for one candidate to sweep the entire votes, hoping to get some in Anambra East; and not divided votes.
Supporters of Okoye are of the view that he has more legislative experience; having served as a member of Anambra State House of Assembly for eight years and competently held the position of Majority Leader. They argue that he holds better academic qualifications and is more consistent, reliable and stable because he stands by his words once he gives it out. They added that one could point to some developments he attracted to Anambra West during his tenure.
However, his non-supporters say that he is too opinionated to the level of arrogance and may not consult or involve others if given the opportunity. They say that his biggest problem is belonging to APC which is seen as Tinubu/Buhari party in Anambra State as well as APC’s alleged non-performance at the federal level.
A particular respondent said that APC had never won any election, normally, in the Constituency and that will make it more difficult to stand against the political revolution started by Peter Obi since he joined the Labour Party; and MacPee had aligned with the movement.
On MacPee, some who oppose his candidacy allege that in the past, he was not consistent and changed positions at different times without informing his supporters cum followers. They accuse him of betrayal especially when he aligned with Chief Tony Nwoye against Hon. Ralph Okeke, his brother. They added that fluency in communication is extremely vital to every politician especially at the national level, and MacPee seems not to possess that. But those who support him say that all the allegations are dependent on various opinions in the past. They claim that he is more accessible, friendly, selfless and open-minded.
A staunch supporter of Obatobie, Comrade Paul Obiorah said, “At the moment, Anambra East and West constituency needs a competent representation. It requires an experienced, proactive, intelligent, vocal and vibrant representative to revamp and restore the lost years of under-representation. From the foregoing, Hon Victor Jideofor Okoye is the best choice for the job. He has the experience and has mastered the legislative indices and processes.
According to Obiora, “Obatobie has a better chance than Macpee in the forthcoming election. Macpee is only popular in Anambra West. The popularity has no electoral clout. His popularity rests on the age grade cult of ndi Anam. But Obatobie is a household name in every political family of Anambra West.
“The pedigree of the two gentlemen in politics can’t be measured. Macpee is an infantry in this regard. Therefore, Obataobie stands tall here. Ndi Anambra and Anambra West should plead with Macpee to drop his ambition and work on the project of seeing Obatobie wins. Obatobie’s win is our collective win. From Macpee’s background (business) he will do well in the executive arm. Especially as the chairman of the council. This is time for collective agreement and common synergy to get it right, but with our best in the race.”
A respondent simply known as PBG in his DM, offered his view, “My own take is that Chinedu obidigwe will win again if Anambra West failed to present one candidate. There’s no magic for that. Among the two candidates from Anambra West, one will win the election if the other steps down for him. So the ball is in the court of the two contestants. They should decide as soon as possible before it is too late. This is my personal opinion and I come in peace.”
An ethical leadership campaigner and public affairs analyst, Dan Aniesi, said,”The question has been eating me up for a while now. This is because Anambra West has a very good opportunity to get the House of Representatives now. But we want to throw it away again.
“My position is that neither of the two contestants from Anambra West has to step down at this point. The reason is that they are both front runners from Anambra West, on two different platforms, and each of them will need to fly the ticket to the end.
“So there is no need to announce stepping down, or to step down. They are not running as independent candidates. They are flying flags of political parties and as such have been trusted by both parties to deliver victory for their parties.
“But there is a way forward. All that is required is for Anambra West to give maximum vote to one of them. The person who is conceding to the other will simply whittle down his campaigns, and on the evening of the day leading to the election, he should call his select-foot soldiers in Anambra West and tell them to work for the other guy.
“For this to happen, both of them have to agree to work together. Candidate A will reimburse Candidate B of cost of forms, or B will reimburse A. Whoever is being given the opportunity, will be made to understand that this is done for the good of Anambra West, and some select notable elders in Anambra West will be present to finalize the deal and seal it.
“The deal will also include that, if party A wins the presidency, that the other person will be brought in for appointment as a member, and that if party B wins, the other person will be brought in for appointment.
It can work. It can be done. Once it is done, the next HoR member will be from Anambra West. Q.E.D.
But if they do not do it, it is still possible, but only 30% possibility from where I am seeing it. But if it is done, it is 70% possible.
Speaking on who has better chances among Macpee and Obatobie, Aniesi said, “I may not be able to answer this question very objectively, because I am supporting Peter Obi. Peter Obi is supporting MacPee who also happens to be my candidate from day one. I never knew that Obataobie would be running for HoR when I committed to MacPee’s mandate. Obataobie is my brother because we are from the same town. MacPee on the other hand is my brother, too, because my father’s mother is from his house, even though he does not know. I was not aware, either, until recently.
“However, both of them have advantages and both have disadvantages. But being that both are close to me, I have been unable to lead the campaign from the front to stand for this person or that person. I had given my commitment to MacPee and I am not of the character to give my commitment to someone and then withdraw it without any reasonable cause. There is nothing MacPee had done to warrant me dropping my support for him. I also cannot stand on the way of Obataobie. It is something I forbid too.
“This is why I seem to have taken the background position on the issue. Any of them will just do well. But nothing must be done to affect Peter Obi’a maximum votes. I cannot be party to any such thing.”
The President, Estimable Foundation, Chukwujioke Ndive Solomon (Igwe Ezekwueche Omabala) who hails from Anambra East, said “Chief Peter Udogalanya Aniekwe is a household name within and outside Omabala area.
“On why it must be him for the 2023 House of Representative; Mmilinaliugwu Omabala is a true representative despite not holding any government post but had touched many lives within and outside Omabala area. MacPee unlike the other aspirants is a registered and a licensed Clearing and Freight Forwarding Agent; hence he has an address. We know what he does for a living even before joining politics.
“His mission to the National Assembly is to make the Omabala masses the CEOs of our constituency where we will all be part of decision making organs. All of us are running to become Federal House members through him which is the main essence of democracy. He is out to take back our Constituency and give it to the masses for inclusive representatives.
“I urge others to align with this great visionary to make Anambra East and West Federal Constituency a viable and productive constituency. As far as I am concerned, MacPee is not running with any candidate because he has a pedigree.
“On the issue of Hon Obinna Emeneka (Ijele Omabala) and Hon. Chinedu Benjamin Obidigwe (Akaoma Jideaku Omabala, Amali Ubiamuana Anam) contesting, it is your sole duty as a citizen of Anambra West to note that it is your turn to produce the next House of Representative member due to equity and fairness. I am from Anambra East and I stand for equity and fairness for posterity to be fair with me.
“Let your voice be louder as you proclaim and campaign for Mmili for the 2023 Job because he is down to earth and not a petty politician that abandoned his subject once he climbed the ladder.
“Mmilinaliugwu Omabala is Down to Earth. MacPee is most Accessible. Peter Nwa Aniekwe is Credible. Udogalanya will deliver. MacPee 2023 is a must win contest. Together we can and with God and your support, victory is assured. Thanks for your future anticipation in making MacPee the candidate for 2023 House of Representatives.”
