Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Former Minister of Health and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Anambra State, Prof Alphonsus B.C Nwosu, yesterday said that for the state to take its rightful position in the national polity, politicians must learn to vote and not sticking to writing lists.
Nwosu who spoke at inauguration of the party’s Local Government Caretaker Committees at the state party secretariat, Udoka Housing Estate, Awka also warned governorship aspirants and political parties planning to hijack the people’s votes to have a rethink as the people’s mandate must be upheld in the November 18 governorship election.
Addressing members of the caretaker committees and party faithful who converged for the inauguration, Prof. Nwosu said Anambra must cease to be a ‘cash-and-carry’ state, and urged voters to learn to vote and not to write results in favour of any candidate.
He told the party members to work hard and together with his committee to ensure victory for the PDP in the forthcoming election, stressing that the party’s chances in the election was very bright.
He said, “Politics is not about oppressing others, it is about contest so the best can emerge. Only the person willingly chosen by the people will govern, so we don’t want any person that will grab power through the gun or by throwing money about.
“I will not allow anybody hijack the party as the party belongs to all and we shall ensure fairness for all members.”
He expressed said Anambra state which produced powerful and quality leaders at independence could no longer boast of influential politicians at the national level, saying that the PDP was now determined to reverse the trend.
Also speaking ate event, the former Governor of the state Mr. Peter Obi urged the party members to be accommodative and throw the doors of the party open for those willing to identify with it to come in.
He said, “What is important at this stage is to join hands to win the election for PDP. This is not the time to begin to discriminate against anybody. The time one joined the party does not matter, what is important is the person’s ability to work for the victory of the party. We need those that can win the election for us.
“I don’t have any group in the party; I am only a member of the party who is determined to ensure victory for the PDP in the election. I urge all our members to make necessary sacrifices that will enable us win the election.”