20 political parties adopt Ubah for Anambra South Senatorial seat

By Peter Okolie

No fewer than 20 political parties on Monday endorsed Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, the candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), as their sole candidate for the general elections in Anambra South Senatorial District.
Addressing newsmen in Awka after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ubah, the state chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Mr Isaac Onuka, said the decision to adopt the candidate was taken in the interest of senatorial district.
He said: “What just happened here is the resolution of about 20 political parties and their candidates, who considered many factors and investigated all the candidates from the area.
“The 20 political parties see Ubah as a capable personality, who has a track record of job creation and positively touching the lives of many in various ways.
Onuka, who is also the state Chairman of the People for Democratic Change, said that Ubah “deserves to go to Senate to represent the senatorial district in the interest of the people.”
He said that beyond adopting the candidate, the parties resolved to work and galvanize support for him to emerge victorious in the Feb. 16 poll.
He said: “What we are looking for is quality representation, which is what these parties believe that Ubah will offer.
“His capacity, capability and audacity to speak for the people  have endeared him to all of us.”
Onuka denied the allegation that the parties were bought over by the business mogul, saying that the decision was taken to promote unity, democracy and cohesion in the area.
“These political parties do not see the need to tear the votes of the electorate when we know that together, we can galvanize votes for a candidate with credibility in the interest of the people.
“It is not that other contestants are less qualified but we are looking at a united movement to reduce the problem of political gambling in the polity.
“This will also reduce tension in the polity and help the people make the right choice during the poll.
He said their action was meant to give direction to the electorate, adding that it had the backing of their national leaderships and should not be seen as anti-party.
“We are also doing this to create the impression that politics is not a do-or-die affair,” he added.
He appealed to other candidates to step down for Ubah in the greater interest of the area.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the parties included the Allied Congress of Democrats, Democratic Alternative, KOWA Party and Peoples Providence Party.
Others were the Labour Party, Accord Party, Unity Party of Nigeria, All Grassroots Alliance and Hope Democratic Party.
The list also included the Progressives Peoples Alliance, Mass Action Joint Alliance, Mass Movement of Nigeria, Freedom and Justice Party, National Action Council and National Interest Party, among others. (NAN)