Former Political Appointees in Anambra State numbering over two thousand have declared and endorsed the gubernatorial Aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
The appointees who were previously engaged within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led Government made the declaration on Monday at the Anambra South Lawmaker’s Umuanuka Otolo Nnewi residence.
The gathering attracted stalwarts of the APC and decamping members of APGA. During the meeting Ubah directed the setting up of a committee to oversee the payment of allowances owed to the former political appointees.
In clear demonstration of solidarity the group who were engaged within the periods of 2014-2022 shunned a similar meeting summoned at the instance of the State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on the same day under the Auspices of the Leadership state’s ruling APGA party.
Giving reasons for their endorsement the group led its Chairman Owelle Onyeka Mbaso via a communique said that they were convinced by Ubah’s leadership ideals while outlining his efforts to improve the well being of his constituents, the State, Southeasterners and Nigeria at large.
The group subsequently declared their resolve to back Ubah as their sole candidate for the 2025 Gubernatorial elections.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mbaso narrated how they were badly treated by current and previous administrations in the state most especially the non-payment of their severance allowances.
They also stated that they were ditched despite contributions to ensure his election in 2022 vowing not to repeat such action which they described as a mistake.
Mbaso expressed their confidence in Ubah’s capacity to rewrite the wrongs and turn around the fortunes of the state which they described as regrettable.
He said; “Your leadership will be instrumental in realizing the hopes and gains of people and building a more prosperous and inclusive society”.
“We thank you for your dedicated service to our state. We hereby endorse Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as our only Gubernatorial candidate for the 2025 General elections.
Leader and Founder of Soludo Support Group,Dr. Chidi Okoye recounted how Soludo dumped his loyalists in the state and offered appointments to persons who lived outside the country.
He narrated; “He (Soludo) has no human sympathy, after working for him you will become his number one enemy. He started calling those living outside the country to come and pick up appointments and abandoned those who worked for him.
Okoye expressed confidence on Ubah stressing that the Senator will not betray their trust when elected into office;
“You are with the winning team where things are happening. ” We are with a man who has the people at heart and is ready to assist, and we are going to stand with him till the very end.
In his address Ubah attributed his desire to contest to his passion to engage in public service, he outlined his achievements at the Senate particularly as the Chairman Senate Committee on downstream.
He commended the former political appointees for their dedication and service to the state during their tenure.
He explained that the Governorship seat will provide him a larger platform to better the lives of those in the state. The Senator also used the opportunity to update the group on his ongoing projects and initiatives in his Senatorial District, and solicited their continuous support and cooperation.
He said;
“I am a focused politician who does not beat around the Bush. In my capacity as the Chairman Senate Committee on downstream, no one has surpassed my achievements. I am also a successful business man and I am investing my personal funds into Politics. APC is a mainstream party which we can use to drive our demands as Igbos.
Ubah also announced the payment of appointees owed allowances;
“I thank you all for coming to honor my call to attend this meeting. I am deeply concerned about the payment of your Severance allowances to make sure that it is paid.
“Political appointee stakeholders will give us 15 persons that will liaise with my advisory council so we can discuss how to pay you what you are owed.
Also present at the event were the South East Zonal Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Dozie Ikedife; Members of Afaigboefuna Solidarity led by their Chairman, Chief Ernest Otugo; Former member of House of Representatives, Prof. James Ugokwe and other key leaders as well as members of the group.