By Jonathan Lois, Abuja
Ahead of Anambra state governorship election, an aspirant under the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifedi Okewnna has vowed that he would to break the jink of factionalization and unite supporters, if he becomes the party’s flagbearer.
Addressing newsmen after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms, Okewnna said he would ensure that the party is not factionalized after the primaries, but bring contending forces together in unity in order to avoid losing elections.
“I am coming as a unifier, hitherto PDP had been giving tickets to people, we have done elections and we have not won any. This is the time to end it. As a unifier, I know that one of our greatest challenges is that we are always factionalised after the primary election.
“So this time around, we will put more effort and ensure that we are not factionalised. When i am given the ticket, I will unite all the contending forces in the state. When that happen, we will go to the election united and victory is sure.
“There is a chance for the party, Anambra people need us and we cannot afford to miss it now because it will be too long before we get it. So i am putting in my best and I know I am going to get it.
“We are 15 aspirants, I remember there was a time that we were up to 40, there is nothing to worry about. We will take them as they come, we are not taking anybody for granted and at the end of the day we will come out victorious,” Okewnna said.
The aspirant, who cautioned against moves to buy delegates, urged the delegates to look well before making any decision.
“I will only urge the delegates to look well and make the right decision. It is not about making noise, it is not about renting crowd. Some of my colleagues rent crowds who cannot vote them. It is not about crowd that came to political rally. Elections are won by interested groups, who comes out to vote, because they are interested.
“They must look well and am sure they will look well. This is not the time to buy delegates, any one who is planning to buy delegates will be shocked. The kind of education we are giving to delegates is that they know what they want, we have been out of power for 16 years; we cannot afford to leave power for another eight years, that will be the end of the party in Anambra. We have no option than to win it, win it for ourselves and for our state, so that we can unite and develop our state,” he further said.