Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo

Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo a native of Umuchu and born  at Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area on the 20^th day of June, 1954, to the family of  Nze Umeaku Godwin Ezeemo and Lolo Ahusie Charity Ezeemo of Umunwanyiekwosi Duru kindred of Umuojogwo, Amanasaa, Umuchu,  Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra State of Nigeria⁽¹⁾. He was named after his father.  Also known by  the title name of Achinagbaraoha N’ Anambra,  (loosely translated as Largesse for the entire Anambra people).

As a child, life for Godwin was a struggle, caused by the early loss of his dear father, the little Godwin had to start early in life to struggle to survive, as his mother  cannot considered well to do by any standard. Because of this challenge, everything that came his way, was by dint of hard work and the benevolence of God.

His  early school days was  at the missionary owned Primary school in the village, called St. Thomas Anglican Primary School, Umuchu, a distance of about 3 km from his home. He had to trek this distance, 5 days a week to acquire basic primary education from missionaries who taught pupils from Umuchu and other neighbouring towns. At  this school, he was able to sit for the First School leaving Certificate Examination, a compulsory examination for all Primary school pupils in Nigeria.

His secondary school education was at St Peter’s Secondary School, Achina, a neighbouring town to Umuchu and a distance of about 15 km from his home. This school was also a missionary school, with no boarding facilities. Again, he had to trek the 15 km daily to acquire secondary school  education.

After this period, he relocated to Southwest Nigeria where he attended the  Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Ogun state. At this higher institution, he studied marketing and graduated with HND in Marketing. At Ilaro, Polytechnic, he held several positions, which included Financial secretary of the students’ union and Secretary, Igbo students Association.

Nature had forced Godwin early life to learn how to fend for himself and his siblings, hence, his devotion to duty, hard work and probity is easily manifested in every venture he engages in. He is married to Mrs. Winifred Nneka Ezeemo and the marriage is blessed with 3 children.

Charity Ezeemo Trust for the less Privileged

Godwin Ezeemo wanting to give back to the community and the less privileged in the society established the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the less Privileged  in the memory of his late mother, Charity Ahusie Ezeemo^.(2) The foundation effectively took off  in 2006, since then, it has been giving scholarships to indigent students yearly at the rate of N50,000 each. This brings the amount given to 20 students on yearly scholarships at over N1m.  It also engages in other activities such as Business centres and Cyber cafes that provide secretarial and stenographical services to the public and the same time  provide an avenue through which the less-privileged in the society could be involved in skills acquisition.⁽³⁾

This Trust has over the years has financed the medical treatment of Nigerian children abroad;  such treatments include heart and other complicated surgeries in India.  It also pays  monthly allowances to widows and orphans. It is worthy of note that yearly, the foundation organizes a football completion for children aged below 12 where future football stars are discovered. The football competition by the Trust  covers  three local government areas viz: Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Government Areas.⁽³⁾

In the preceding year (2012), the following homes and orphanages has benefited from the largesse of the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the Less Privileged: Special Education Centre for the Mentally Ill, Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State;  Basden Memorial Special Education Centre for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, Isulo, Orumba South Local Government Area. Others are Tender Love Home, Awka; Mother of Christ Compassionate Home for the Needy and Abandoned;  and Lucy O’Charity Orphanage at Ihiala. Each of the homes received a donation of N50,000, over 10 bags of rice, cartons of Indomie, toilet tissues, cartons of biscuits, rolls of toilet soaps, among others.⁽³⁾

The Charity Ezeemo Trust for the Less Privileged  recently established a Football Academy, which was flagged off at the grand finale of  old Aguata Union Cup of Unity Football Competition for Primary and Post Primary schools in Aguata, Orumba North and Orumba South local government areas held at Ekwulobia township stadium.  The flag-off competition produced a total of 64 talents which would be sponsored by the Charity Ezeemo Trust for the less-privileged.⁽⁴⁾ Apart from giving assistance to the orphanages, Ezeemo Trust Fund had series of programmes in education, offers scholarships to over 120 students some of whom he said had graduated.⁽³⁾

The foundation has also touched the lives of victims of Boko haram caused religious strife in Nigeria. Mr. Ezeemo had visited families of victims of Mubi massacre where he donated money and other precious items to douse the tension in the families and help children whose parents were killed by members of Boko Haram in the Northern Nigeria to go back to school.⁽⁵⁾  The Charity Ezeemo Trust for the Less Privileged has also touched the lives of victims of the 2012 flood disaster in Anambra, Southeast Nigeria.⁽⁴⁾ Mr. Ezeemo visited the flooded communities and donated bags of rice, other food items and huge sums of money to inhabitants through their traditional rulers and Presidents-General. He expressed shock at the level of havoc caused by the flood and prayed that God would give the victims back all they had lost. In his speech, Ezeemo, who gave the families N150, 000 as his initial support, promised to evolve other ways to assist families of the bereaved. Describing their death as tragic and regrettable, he urged the families of the victims to take solace in God as nothing happens without God’s knowledge.⁽⁶⁾

Last year, his media company organised a seven-day value reorientation conference in Awka, with the theme “Rediscovering Lost Igbo Values”. The event saw the best Igbo brains in the academia, politics, and other professions gather together to brainstorm on the way forward for Igboland. This event attracted the likes of Dr. Alex Ekwueme (former Vice President of Nigeria); Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (former Governor of Anambra State);  and many other pan Igbo leaders. Before he sponsored the said seminar, Mr Ezeemo became the greatest benefactor of Anambra State Council of the NUJ when he single-handedly funded the construction of the new multi-million Naira NUJ Press Centre, Awka at the cost of over N50m.⁽⁷⁾⁽³⁾ The Press Centre is called Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, Anambra State.

Other edifices that are courtesy of Godwin Ezeemo include the Divisional Police Station, Umuchu; St Peters Anglican Church Umuojogwo Community; Chapel of St Anthony’s Catholic Church, Nawfia; Umuchu General Hospital and so many others.

Awards

Ezeemo was awarded the 2011 Entrepreneur Man of the Year by the Anambra State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). In recognition of his entrepreneurial efforts  in Anambra State. In his acceptance speech, Ezeemo appealed to other well-meaning Nigerians to be involved investing in Anambra state, to help solve the problems associated with youth unemployment.⁽³⁾

Godwin Ezeemo was in October 2012, conferred with the award of Man of the Year by the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). According to the State NUJ Chairperson, Mrs Tochukwu Omelu, this was largely in recognition of his unequalled philanthropy, selfless service to humanity and his ability to have undertaken the building of the Anambra State NUJ Secretariat in Awka.⁽⁸⁾⁽⁷⁾

Ezeemo was also presented with the Award of Honour by Umuchu Town Union, Federal Capital Territory Abuja in recognition of singlehandedly built the Anambra State Union of Journalism (NUJ) secretariat, Police Officers Wives building project and the good job his Charity Ezeemo Foundation is doing in the life of less privileged.⁽⁹⁾

Other awards includes: Annual African Achievement Award by the African Forum Scotland; Media Excellence Award, for outstanding contributions to Media Development, by The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone ‘C’ in conjunction with Gregory University Uturu; Encouragement Award by Women Wing Umuchu Improvement Union; Professional Excellence Award by Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Community Service Award by Rotaract Club, Anambra University Chapter; Award of Excellence by Bridge-Head Market Traders Association; Grassroots Sports Promoter Award by Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN),  Anambra State Council; Platinum Award by the Tools and Allied Products Dealers Association, Onitsha for his efforts in renovating the Offices and Conference Hall of the Association.

Businesses

Mr. Ezeemo is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orient Group of Companies.⁽⁷⁾ Ezeemo, an astute business mogul and CEO of a chain of businesses, has for many years turned his business antenna towards his home state, Anambra State. All his investments now are concentrated in the State, all this in a personal effort to solve the youth unemployment problems and alleviate poverty in Anambra State. He was once quoted as saying: “For now, no more investments outside Igboland. We have done much elsewhere; it is now time to focus on the home front so that our children at home will engage themselves meaningfully without necessarily having to relocate to Lagos or Abuja.”⁽¹⁰⁾

True to his words, Ezeemo has set up a number of businesses at home – not necessarily for profit (because a better return on investment is guaranteed in a city like Lagos or Abuja) but mainly as a means of alleviating youth unemployment. At Umuchu, for instance, there is the massive Orient Farm, which focuses on poultry production, with other aspects of agribusiness on the sidelines, such as plantain and palm plantations. Fresh Life Water, another Ezeemo initiative, is already producing and distributing best quality drinking water across many parts of the state. There is also the Union Haulage Filling Station, and many other investments which include Hotels and Conference Halls. All these employ numerous youths in Anambra who ordinarily would have been idle thereby possibly constituting security threat to the state.⁽¹⁰⁾

Also in the stables of Orient Group is Orient Magazine, Newspaper and Communication Limited, publishers of Nigerian OrientNews Magazine and Orient Daily Newspaper, a route through which this man of foresight is championing development in Igboland. Ezeemo has ensured that all his investments has their head offices in Awka, the Anambra State capital. Ezeemo has also contributed his quota in alleviating the housing problem in Awka by providing affordable housing through massive estate development. The housing Estates located in Awka South Local Government provides housing for all cadres of people in the society.⁽¹⁰⁾

Political Life

Based on his philanthropic nature, and the massive investments he has single-handedly brought to Anambra State without being in any official position; and the type of interest he has shown in the welfare of Anambrarians, the people called upon Ezeemo to contest for the position of governorship of his home state Anambra.

While accepting this clarion call, Ezeemo said that having lived abroad and seen the orderliness and development there, his intention was to come home and replicate same in his state. The aspirant, who expressed his readiness to serve the people, promised that when elected, security of lives and property would be guaranteed to attract foreign investors to the state.^(11)(12) Hear Ezeemo: I am in politics because I have the conviction that our people are still suffering. Many problems I saw while growing up are still here with us. The leadership has not done well enough. I decided to leave my comfort zone to correct so many anomalies that have bedevilled Anambra State in recent times. Unemployment is still very high in the state, prompting youths to move into crimes. ⁽¹³⁾

However, findings revealed that Anambra people began to really look the way of Mr. Ezeemo in May 2012 when for one whole week he gathered the entire State at the Parktonia Hotel, Akwa for the first ever Anambra Re-Orientation Conference. Packaged in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council, the conference with the theme “Re-Discovering Lost Igbo Values” took a holistic look at the fast fading values of Anambra State and the South East region.⁽¹⁷⁾

Ezeemo threw his political weight with Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN) and became a major financier of the party in Anambra State. His contributions to the party includes cash and bus donations to the state Executive / Working Committee of the Party; sponsorship of State Executive working tour of ACN wards in Old Aguata Local Government, cash donations to State ACN Women wing; cash donations to the Gubernatorial and Senatorial campaign / elections of Dr. Chris Ngige (OON); sponsorship of the state Chairman’s trip to Accra Ghana for an ACN seminar; payment of annual rents of ACN Local Governments and ward offices in the state coverning Aguata, Orumba North, Orumba South, Nnewi North Local Governments; and so many others.

ACN was later to merged with  two other political parties to metamorphosed into All Progressives Congress (APC).  As preparations for the governorship primaries were gathering momentum,   stumbling blocks were set in Ezeemo’s path to discourage him from participating in the primaries. As a columnist aptly  described it, “the fear of Ezeemo is the beginning of wisdom for other  contenders in APC”.⁽¹⁷⁾ Ezeemo was severally disqualified by the leadership of APC from contesting the governorship primaries with the intention of imposing Dr.  Chris  Ngige on the party faithful, Ezeemo and his supporters fought really  hard to reverse these decisions. Later, again he was disqualified based on a trumped up charge of dual citizenship. This again was proven to be false.  Finally when all these shenanigans failed to discourage the man, the election was conducted with prefabricated results, which eventually was in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige.

The first huddle set in Ezeemo’s way was the unilateral choice of Dr. Chris Ngige as the party candidate for governorship election. Rumour mills were awash with the news that Ezeemo has stepped down for Dr. Ngige. However, Ezeemo debunked the rumours stating: “I want to state unequivocally that I am still in the race for Anambra Governorship under the platform of All Progressives Congress; a party I and other well meaning Anambra people worked hard to build. The rumour making the rounds that Chris Ngige has emerged the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress in the November 16 Anambra election is baseless and unfounded.^(14)(15)(16)

Ezeemo in his strongly worded speech shook the thousands of supporters from the 21 Local Government Areas that make up Anambra State when he said he would use his resources and supporters to fight for APC to win the Anambra governorship but would not like anybody to be imposed on the party.
He reminded them that he wasn’t desperate over governing Anambra as nobody asked him to come and contest but because of his passion to contribute his quota. He wondered why some people are playing against the tide in a democracy.⁽¹⁸⁾ Based on these protests, APC leadership did an about-turn and came out with a declaration which set aside the decision of the party’s Primary Screening Committee, which stated earlier that the party has chosen a candidate for the November 16^th governorship election in the person of Senator Chris Ngige, a decision that prompted party faithful to protest, joining the candidate in his protest in what was termed as imposition of candidate.⁽²⁰⁾

Another columnist wrote: On his insistence, Godwin Ezeemo will today confront the All Progressives Congress (APC) giant, Senator Chris Ngige, in primaries to chose the party’s flag bearer for November 16 Governorship election in Anambra State. Ezeemo had earlier refused to accept what had looked like a plan by APC hierarchy to present Ngige as the sole candidate of the party in Abuja some two weeks ago.⁽²¹⁾

The second huddle was the disqualification of Ezeemo by the APC Anambra State gubernatorial screening committee. The Screening Committee had disqualified Ezeemo on the ground that he has dual citizenship, but he convinced the Committee that the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that any Nigerian born in the country was qualified to run for any office.⁽²⁵⁾  This second huddle was just coming two days to the primary election.  A surprised observer wrote: “Ahead of tomorrow’s gubernatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, the national leadership of the party has reversed the disqualification of Mr. Godwin Ezeemo from contesting for the party’s ticket for the November 16 governorship election in the state. Ezeemo was earlier disqualified by the party’s screening panel on the ground that he had dual citizenship.”⁽²²⁾

Finally, an overly controversial primary election was eventually held.  Ezeemo and his supporters not completely satisfied  insisted  on a repeat of the exercise, accusing Ngige of influencing the outcome by doctoring the membership of the party. Sources said that while Ezeemo, was busy campaigning for votes, Ngige employed his experience to facilitate the registration of members of different community associations from other Southeast states resident in Anambra into APC.⁽¹⁹⁾

Based on these irregularities accompanying the APC primaries, Ezeemo decided to quit the party with his supporters and joined the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).⁽²³⁾ As the November governorship election is fast approaching, an opinion poll conducted by an independent polling group indicates that Ezeemo is still the main contender for the governorship post in Anambra State.⁽²⁴⁾

Notable Quotes From Ezeemo

“Empowerment is a must. Anambra people should always be empowered so that they will in turn empower others. But to achieve this we all must be committed in everything we do or whichever place we find ourselves. I believe that the best investment in live is human investment and this is the reason why I will continue to empower Anambrarians. I urge you to do so equally, no matter how little, it pays.”

“I am not going to hit below the belt, no matter what. At the end of the day, power belongs to the people; then God decides who it goes to”.

References

1        The man Mr. Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo.         

www.anambrachangeandhealinitiative.blogspot.com

2        Ndu John Ezekwo (2012) Anambra after Obi (2) Nigerian Compass.

Tuesday 31, July,

2012.

3        Nwanosike Onu (2012) Foundation Fetes the needy. The Nation

06/01/2012

4        Okey Maduforo (2012) Ezeemo launches academy. Daily Independent.

Wed. Sept 18, 2012

5        Odinaka Anudu (2012) Flood Submerges Several Communities in

Anambra State. Nigerian Orient News. Oct 11, 2012

6        Vincent Ujumadu (2012) Boko Haram: Please end this carnage, victim

Pleads with govt. Vanguard. March 23, 2012.

7        Charles Okeke (2013) How Ezeemo is boosting media in Anambra.

National Mirror. March 14, 2013.

8        Godwin Ezeemo Wins Man of the Year Award. Nigerian Orient News.

October 31, 2012.

9        Sola Akingboye (2012). Kinsmen Honour Godwin Ezeemo in Abuja.

Nigerian Orient News. December 13, 2012.

10       Emma Ibezim (2013) Thinking Home: The Godwin Ezeemo example.        

BusinessDay. March 29, 2013.

11        Ex-Governor rejects zoning in Anambra governorship race. Premium Times.

March 19, 2013.

12      Former governor rejects zoning in Anambra guber race. Daily Times.

March 19, 2013.

13       Chukwuma Okoro and Odinaka Anudu (2013) My Mission is To Rescue `

Anambra ....Godwin Ezeemo.  Nigerian Orient News. Sept 9 2013.

14      Dapo Akinrefon (2013) I’ve not stepped down for Ngige – Ezeemo.

Vanguard,  August 23, 2013.

15      Reporter (2013) Nigeria: APC ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP

CANDIDATES REJECTS NGIGE Codewit World News. Thursday 

August  22, 2013.

16       Eya Willy and Fred Itua (2013) Anambra: Crisis as Ngige emerges APC    

consensus candidate. The Sun. August 22, 2013.

17      Chukwuma Okoro and Odinaka Anudu (2013) Anambra Guber: The

Looming Upset Godwin Ezeemo is the Man to Beat. Nigerian Orient News.

September 9,          2013.

18      Odogwu Christian (2013) Awka Stands Still For Ezeemo…APC Guber

Aspirant   Gets Set For Primary. Orient Newspaper. August 26, 2013.

19     Leo Sobechi (2013) Anambra 2013: Waiting For Running Mates,

Substitution.  The Guardian. Sunday 08, Sept. 2013.

20       Channels Television (2013) APC Appeal Committee Clears Ezeemo For    

Anambra Primary. Channels. August 31, 2013.

21      Chukwujekwu Ilozue (2013) Ezeemo battles Ngige in Anambra APC

primaries today.

Daily Independent. Mondday September 2, 2013.

22      Okechukwu Obeta (2013) Anambraa Guber Race: APC Voids

Disqualification      of Aspirant. Leadership. Sept. 1, 2013.

23      Chidi Obineche (2013) Anambra Guber: PPA, Ezeemo retool game The Sun.        

September 22, 2013.

24      Omoniyi Salaudeen (2013) Anambra guber: Ezeemo emerges leading

Candidate.   The Sun. September 22, 2013.

25      Okey Ndiribe and Vincent Ujumadu (2013) Nigeria: Anambra 2013 –

Ezeemo Battles Ngige to the End for APC Ticket. Vanguard. 3 September 2013.

Anambra people will vote for PPA–Ezeemo

Being the complete text of an interview granted by Mr. Godwin Ezeemo to The Sun reporter, Willy Eya

Mr Godwin Ezeemo is the Progressive People Alliance (PPA) candidate in the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State. He is one of the candidates to watch when Anambra people file out to vote for Governor Peter Obi’s successor. As the election approaches, the philanthropist and accomplished entrepreneur is getting more confident that he would win the race to Awka Government House. In this interview, he speaks on a wide range of issues. Excerpts:

What informed your decision to move to the PPA?

I remember that I told you before that if the primary election in the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been conducted under a free and fair atmosphere that I would not have thought of joining another party. But right from inception, one could find out that the APC at all levels never wanted the primaries to hold.

For that reason, they took time to disqualify me, to entertain petition coming from all manner of places and eventually they disqualified me. But I came out with an answer to their disqualification and they now allowed me to go for the primaries and that was about 24 hours to the primaries. I had no time at all to campaign or talk to anybody. I was in Abuja on the Friday night preceding the primaries and that was when they gave me the clearance paper to participate in the primaries.

I left Abuja on Saturday and arrived Anambra and I had only Saturday and Monday to get myself ready. So what could I have done within the timeframe within which they cleared me! On the primaries proper, I want to tell you that it was a sham. Nothing happened. Hoodlums from Imo, Edo, Benue and Abia were imported to Anambra and they manned every ward and polling station. They came to Anambra with a specific instruction to deliver Senator Chris Ngige at all cost and they made this known to us. Some of them confessed that they were told that I am on ground but that some powers that be do not need me. So, based on that specific instruction, they did exactly what they did and they succeeded.

Some of the wards where the primaries were held actually, I won Ngige with a very big margin. But I can tell you that as soon as they get this into the collation centre, a written result would be brandished and the ones they brought back which is the actual result would be taken away from them. At the collation centre again, they refused all my agents to come in. Out of the 21 Local Governments, it was only two agents that were allowed into the collation centres. So based on all of these, it was clear to me and my supporters that it was not free, fair and credible. I had to make effort to get into the collation centre and sat down to observe. Through my agents, after they had declared Ngige as the winner with the fake result, I said I wanted to talk to them. What I wanted to say, they did not know but the chairman, Shekarau and Osita Izunaso said no, they do not want me to talk.

They said that if I was allowed to talk, I would spoil a lot of things. I made effort three times to talk and they refused and that was when I concluded that these people were too crude. They do not understand the whole idea of democracy and free speech and I had to walk away. That is my reason for joining my new party, the Progressive People Alliance (PPA).

But from inception, was joining the PPA your plan B?

Yes, I had a plan B because like I told you, right from the onset, the signs of what would happen were clear to me. The reception I was being given made it clear to me that I was not actually wanted in the APC. At that point, I had to start thinking, assuming things come to the worst, do I just have to bury my goal of rendering service to Anambra people. I have a vision to better the lives of Anambra people and I would not just allow few people to frustrate that dream. It was based on that urge to serve the people that I took that decision.

What were your reasons for choosing the PPA out of all the registered political parties in Nigeria?

I decided to join the PPA because it is a party that has a good stronghold in Anambra State. It has been used by a couple of aspirants to vie for various positions including the governorship seat of the state. The PPA has a structure in Anambra State and it is better than so many other parties in Anambra State. With the PPA, I can assure you that I will win the next election in Anambra.

So, how did you emerge the candidate of the PPA having joined them few days to the primaries?

It was through a well organized internal primaries witnessed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that I emerged the PPA candidate. I was the popular choice.

But realistically, how do you think the PPA will be able to win the forthcoming election in Anambra considering the strength of other parties?

I have made this point clear in various occasions. The stage where Anambra State is now in terms of political development and consciousness of the people has gone beyond the issue of party. Anambra people now have got to a stage where it is the credibility of the candidate that they are interested in. The party does not so much matter to them even though you still need the party to reach out to the people and win elections. In the past, it used to be the party but all that has changed. The people are more concerned about identifying with a candidate that has got what it takes to govern the state. This is because for the last 22 years, they have had people of different political parties and they know what they have got in terms of democracy dividends. Most candidates would always come with great promises but at the end of the day, nothing happens. So, the people have got to a stage that they now ask questions.

A couple of people I have met in the course of this political process were courageous to ask- what do you do. They wanted to know my background and who I am. They wanted to know where I was coming from and what I have in terms of ability to lead the people of Anambra State. They were clear that they were not interested in the so-called moneybags or people with dubious characters to lead Anambra State. It made me to know that the people are now interested to know more about the candidate who they would vote for. It is no more the issue of which party he belongs to. In the PPA, most of my supporters came from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I financed most of the candidates who won elections on the platform of the ACN. For the past six years, I have been financing the party. My supporters in that party, what they never had before, I gave it to them. So, it was not difficult for me to get a structure in the PPA because I already had a lot of supporters in ACN who moved to the APC and who are now with me in the PPA. We have already a strong structure to go into the coming election and win the race. You know that the so-called bigger political parties have so many internal problems they are contending with which you do not find in the PPA.

What strategy do you want to use in selling yourself to the people of Anambra State?

I have a couple of strategies. Some of them have been exploited already for the fact that I am a grassroots person. In APC, I was able to touch virtually all the members of the party but for the governorship election proper, I would touch every ward and community in Anambra State. I will tell them what they have not heard or known before. The message would be how to redeem them from the challenges they have faced all these years because of bad leadership.

What specifically do you want to do for the people of Anambra State if you win?

I have a manifesto but there are things that are very important.  I know very well that we are human beings. Every society needs quality education. Every society needs good health. Every society needs constant power supply. There is nothing that would work in Nigeria or even Anambra State until we achieve constant power generation and supply. Every society needs good transportation system. Every society needs good infrastructural facilities and so on. If all these are working in United Kingdom, why not in Nigeria? In effect, what I need to do is to use my wealth of experience and replicate it in Nigeria. Anambra has got immense problems but there are some of them that are more serious than others. Let me take the issue of security first. Security is the major problem that we have.

It has brought about brain drain and capital flight from the state. Everybody is going away from the state because of the problem of security. I would tackle security head on by working towards creating employment. The employment would be from both the government and the private sector. As a government, we would provide the required atmosphere and conducive environment that would attract investors and Anambra people in particular would come back. Once you get the atmosphere right, they would come back to their state to do what they are doing in other places. If Anambra people come home and start investing, there would be work here and there.

On education, the sector has decayed so much and we as a government would like to tackle it head on. My emphasis would not only be on getting certificates. I would lay emphasis on practical education. With your junior WAEC, you can learn a trade and you will be able to do well here. Most of the people that come from abroad that we call engineers here are not engineers but technicians and artisans. They did not go to the University but they have trained on the job and they are experts on it. When they come here, they call them engineers.

EZEEMO RECEIVES HERO’S WELCOME, EMBARKS ON WARDS TOUR

The frontline, the unbeatable, the youths’ choice, the people’s governor, Ezee-Gold, Ezeemo carry go! The epithets are simply too numerous, but by what ever sobriquet you choose to call him you wouldn’t be far from the truth, for each of these signifies how he has touched the lives of his supporters. Saturday 31 august, Ezeemo returned from Abuja to receive a tumultuous welcome from his teeming supporters in Anambra state. Venue was the Amansea border between Anambra and Enugu States.  Ezeemo who has been in Abuja for 48 hours added yet another feather to his already feather filled cap when he with his teem of lawyers and with the help of prayers from his teeming supporters was able to floor yet again, the obstacles placed on his journey towards occupying the government house in Awka.

The day before, palpable confusion was felt in the Ezeemo camp as news filtered in once again, that Ezeemo has been disqualified from contesting the governorship election under All Progressives Congress (APC). Reason being that the Nigerian constitution stipulates that no one with dual citizenship can contest for the post of president or state governor; example of Ben Murray Bruce was cited as a case in point, when he was disqualified from contesting for president, several years back. Unfortunately, members of the screening committee exercise didn’t have the legal luminaries Ezeemo has behind him.

The supporters where ecstatic when Ezeemo arrived from Akanu Ibiam International Airport. One of the members of the legal team, and a politician Nobis Elendu, told the gathered supporters how they had prepared their legal briefs ready to head to court if the disqualification was not revised immediately. To the glory of God, and to the joy of Anambrarians, the disqualification was immediately revised, and a letter to that effect given to them, which he read to the admiration of all the people.

Ezeemo in his speech, thanked God for his mercies so far in the race, thanked the supporters for making out time, despite everything they had to do, to wait for him under the scorching midday sun. However, he admonished them not the rest on their oars as the fight was just beginning, the epic battle being slated for September 2, 2013. The women sang choruses extolling the virtues of Ezeemo, saying with him at the government house, their worries are certainly over. Ezeemo told them that for the first time since the creation of Anambra state, 22 years ago, he has come to tackle the problems of Anambra state, head-on, not on the periphery as other governors had been doing, or to circumvent issues and substance and face shadows. He told them that God has given them the power to choose who becomes their governor, and he urged them to use that power to empower him, so that he will achieve a better future for all. He lamented the present situation, were parents having suffered and sacrificed to train their children, still laboured to feed and maintain them, despite having graduated from institutions of higher learning.

After the brief welcome / reception at Amansea, the gathered supporters and Ezeemo embarked on a Road tour. From Amansea, the road tour snaked its way through the streets of Awka, the marching band and supporters signing and waving brooms, the trademark of APC. At Eke Awka roundabout, the traders left their shops and wares to cheer the campaign train, with Ezeemo acknowledging their cheers. There were stops at Ogidi, Abatete, Obosi and Umunze. At Ogidi, supporters braved the heavy downpour to await the peoples governor; at Abatete, thousands of supporters were on hand to receive the campaign team; at Obosi, cyclists and other motorists where waving posters of
Ezeemo to welcome the campaign train. At Nnobi, despite darkness and late hour, supporters still eagerly waited to hear directly from the horse’s mouth. At that venue, vehicle headlights were used to light up the field where the supporters waited.

At all these venues, Ezeemo had the same message: with your prayers, God has lifted me above my detractors, the era of slave trade is over, nobody can enslave Anambra by imposing a candidate on you; vote your conscience on Monday, nobody will molest you; the government house is not a personal property, vote wisely so that your children can also like me, aspire to rule Anambra state, someday.

The people promised to return Ezeemo on Monday with their votes 100%; overwhelm with the show of support they received at each of these venues, the State Woman leader, Princess Eboh, in a lighter mood, told the supporters to show a little magnanimity, and give the opposition 5%. Other speakers at the occasion included Barr. Chigbata and Mr. Bonny Okoye. The People sang, Ezeemo carry go! Ezeemo till the end!! Ezeemo I gabago! (You have triumphed).

EZEEMO HOLDS FIRST APC RALLY IN AWKA, APC SUPPORTERS: GIVE US EZEEMO OR PRIMARIES

The Anambra governorship race took a different dimension on Friday 23 August  when all the who is who in the Southeast All Progressives Congress (APC) gathered in Awka the Anambra state capital for the biggest rally so far organized in the southeast by the new party. The APC rally in Awka which was named an interactive session of APC stakeholders was sponsored by the Godwin Ezeemo Campaign Organization and had supporters coming from all the 326 electoral wards in Anambra state. The supporters who started arriving venue of the event as early as 10 am overfilled the Hall and even spilled into the grounds and the adjoining streets.

In a road show that started effectively from the Ezeemo campaign headquarters at Udoka Estate, Awka,  included a marching band, a well known DJ from Awka, students from Unizik and ANSU all adorned in white Tee shirts and white Peak caps with pictures of Ezeemo and APC logo. The students and supporters were waving brooms the trademark of APC as they moved around all the major streets of Awka singing and dancing. The highly politically aware city of Awka had never witnessed an APC rally in Awka before.

The APC unbeatable aspirant in the Anambra governorship election, Mr. Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo was highly visible in the parade as he acknowledged cheers from the teeming supporters of Awka residents  who said their messiah has finally arrived.  At the Marble Arch Hotel, venue of the APC rally in Awka, scores of speakers addressed the supporters, they all had one message: APC will not adopt any candidate, rather all candidates will test their popularity at the polls; while urging them to support Ezeemo for a better tomorrow for all.

The gathered supporters sang and chorused either Ezeemo or no APC in the southeast; and Ezeemo we will follow  to the end. In  his speech, the aspirant, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo (Achinagbaraoha Anambra State) thanked the supporters who came for the APC rally in Awka. He debunked the rumours making rounds that he had stepped down from the race. He stated, restated and emphasized that APC has not chosen any candidate either by anointing or consensus; while urging them to be steadfast, he promised them victory in the primaries slated for 1 and 2 September, 2013. He urged them to go back to their various wards to mobilize and educate the people on the upcoming primaries.

Another highlight of the APC rally in Awka was the recognition and special welcome given to supporters of Annie Okonkwo, and members from All Nigeria  People Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) (the other two parties in the merger with ACN that metamorphosed into APC) who all promised to work doubly hard to ensure Ezeemo becomes the next governor of Anambra State.

A supporter who came for the APC rally in Awka from Aguleri, but did not want his name in print said that the problem that APC faces is the selfish ambition of the short man to control everything and everybody. He wondered why somebody who goes by the slogan tested and trusted will want to get a governorship ticket through the backdoor. He questioned : doesn’t tested and trusted mean that you are 100% sure the people will vote for you; and if that is the case, why shy away from primary election? Primaries should be held so that Anambrarians will have the opportunity of sifting the wheat from the chaff.

At the end of it all, a ten point communiqué was jointly issued by all the stakeholders in Anambra APC, and it is reproduced below.

1.     We frowned at the rumour being spread in the various media that APC has selected gubernatorial candidate for the 16^th November 2013 Election in Anambra State without going through the Party Primaries. We saw this as a calculated attempt to mislead the teeming supporters of our Aspirant - Mr. Godwin Ezeemo.

2.     Our Aspirant Mr. Godwin Ezeemo was falsely reported to have stepped down. This is not true, as that never emanated from the National leadership of APC. Also the APC Executive meeting that took place in ABUJA and its communiqué never presented this.

3.     Our Aspirant Mr. Godwin Ezeemo: being a true democrat, a gentleman of repute and highly disciplined person has refused to join issues with the mischief makers but resorted to communicating the true position of the Party Leadership to the public. The Party Leadership has not anointed any Aspirant.

4.     The truth of the matter is that only Chief Annie Okonkwo stepped down, that does not mean that an Aspirant has been anointed; the stepping down of one Aspirant does not mean the anointing of one since they are now three Aspirants remaining.

5.     We call on the National Leadership of APC to ensure that due process is followed as Anambra State Election is the litmus test of the success or failure of the Party in the forth coming 2015 General Election.

6.     If the leadership of the Party has fixed 1^st and 2^nd September 2013 for conducting the Primaries, why then are mischief makers in the Party circulating rumours that an anointed candidate has emerged?

7.     We believe that APC being a new baby that is highly democratic in nature, should stamp out this falsehood completely.

8.     Our Aspirant Mr. Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo is in the Race and seriously concerned in the general well being of Anambra people.

9.     We thank the Leadership of the Party for their proactive step in fixing the date for Primaries, and also request them to ensure that the Primaries is not hijacked in any form.

10.                        Finally, we thank all APC family and Anambrarians for their support for our Aspirant – Mr. Godwin C. Ezeemo.

EZEEMO MEETS TRADITIONAL RULERS FROM OLD AGUATA UNION (OAU)

An ecounter with Traditional Rulers from Old Aguata Union (OAU)

EZEEMO STEPPED DOWN STORY: A HOAX

In a highly attended meeting of the fledging mega opposition party All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, two political aspirants in the November 16 Anambra gubernatorial elections connived to disenfranchise the highly favoured dark horse in the election Mr. Godwin Ezeemo of his yet to be given mandate.

Senators Annie Okonkwo and Chris Ngige having seen the handwriting on the wall ganged up with others of similar dispositions to announce that APC primaries will no longer hold in Anambra State as Annie Okonkwo and Godwin Ezeemo has both stepped down leaving only Dr. Chris Ngige as the sole candidate for the November elections.

Based on this subterfuge, Senator Annie Okonkwo was compensated with the position of campaign manager for the Chris Ngige Campaign Organization. However, this story lacks substance. First, what now happens to the other contenders from CPC,   ANPP  and factions of APGA that together made up the newly formed APC? Second, if Senator Okonkwo was compensated with the position of Campaign manager, what is Ezeemo’s Compensation?

Rumours making rounds in the social media are saying that Senator Annie Okonkwo raised the hand of Ngige, saying that he will happily work to achieve Ngige’s return to the Awka government House. However, such gestures are his brand of politicking. The same Annie Okonkwo had earlier in June this year at the launch of APC at Emmaus House Awka introduced Ezeemo as the party’s candidate for the November election. At the occasion, he gave the thousands of gathered supporters the impression that he was contented with position of National Deputy Chairman South of the party.

Statement coming from the Ezeemo Campaign organization  says that Mr. Godwin Ezeemo will never step  down for anybody, even if he was offered the moon; describing the rumours as the handiwork of mischief makers who had excess time on their hands. The statement went on to say that Ezeemo believes in internal democracy and has therefore promised the good people of Anambra State to be in the race as long as the Anambra people wish. He is therefore using this opportunity to assure his teeming supporters nationwide and Anambrarians that the rumours making rounds are nothing but a conspiracy to deprive the good people of Anambra State their favoured candidate for the governorship elections scheduled for November 16.

Reactions from the streets of Awka indicate that the new APC is certainly heading for a premature death if primaries were not conducted. At the Okada stand at Arroma Junction, cyclists were wondering why Ngige was afraid to test his popularity with Anambrarians at the primaries.  Johnson a cyclist from the same Idemili North L.G with  Dr. Ngige wondered where the Tested and Trusted slogan of Dr. Ngige was, if he wanted to avoid primaries. He said that it is true that they people always hail Ngige as he passes on the streets, but that does not mean they like him  nor will they vote for him. He cautioned APC to beware of imposing candidates on the people as the people will definitely react by casting their votes for the opposition. Meanwhile a press briefing is being awaited from Ezeemo Campaign Headquarters at Udoka Estate, Awka.