Former governorship aspirant under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and leader of the Afamation Group, Hon. Afam Ezenwafor on friday declared his intention to continue the governorship race under the platform of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Ezenwafor who disclosed this to journalists in Awka, noted that he joined the party with his supporters to actualise his governorship ambition in the forthcoming November 6 election after a wide consultation with major political actors and other relevants stakeholders in the state.
“I am very pleased to announce that we have bounced back into the governorship race, better and stronger on the platform of the National Rescue Movement (NRM)”.
“My aspiration to become the next Chief Servant of Anambra State in the November 6 governorship election was made public in March. When I announced my withdrawal from the primary of a political party where I kick started the journey, it created a lot of reactions. Rumours were peddled that “I have sold out”, “I have compromised”, “I have been settled”, and betrayed the trust and confidence Anambra citizens and residents of the state reposed in me”.
It may interest you to know that my withdrawal from the party’s primary was predicated on privy information and due diligence. I became mindful that “whatever that killed the mother hen will not allow the chicks to open their eyes”. As a result, I waited for an auspicious time, which is now to refute the rumours and announce the way forward. May I use this medium to state that nobody gave me money, nor did I receive money from anyone to withdraw from the party’s primary. I urge everyone to disregard the rumours. They are the handiwork of detractors and mischief makers, calculated to tarnish my reputation and truncate my governorship aspiration.
“We have overcome the scheme to tactically and systematically edge out all the vibrant youths whose support base and followership cut across all the age brackets from the November 6 Anambra State governorship race. Our mission is to rescue Anambra State from imminent collapse. We remain very focused, firm, bold, resolute, dogged and undaunted towards actualizing this mission. If we get it wrong this time around, the state may collapse”.
“This is the time for youths to take over leadership and reposition Anambra State. Therefore, I call on every youth and young person in schools, in the markets, on the streets and from all walks of life, irrespective of political and religious leanings, clannish sentiments to rise up to the occasion and join this movement”.
Ezenwafor further called in the youths to leverage on the current window provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to harness their voting strengths by registering as a voter, apply for replacement in the case of loss or defacement, and transfer of PVCs in the event of relocation. “Let us talk to one another and encourage ourselves to actualize these”.
“In other words, we plead for all hands to fall on deck. We have provided for everyone and accommodated all the sectors in my blueprint and programme of action.
“The National Rescue Movement (NRM) has visibly demonstrated to be a political party that accommodates and encourages the youths and young people to participate actively in the leadership recruitment process and politics. While most political parties have introduced financial barriers and watered down the essence of the Not Too Young To Run Act, the NRM launched the Not Too Poor To Run philosophy to consolidate the gains of the Act. I acknowledge the visionary leadership of the party, piloted by the National Chairman, Senator Saidu Muhammed Dansadau”, he added.
“We solicit the support and prayers of our elders in this mission to rescue our state from collapse. We must leverage their voting strength, tap from their fountain of knowledge, wealth of wisdom and experiences. We must accord them their due respect and recognition, which are non-negotiable.
