ANAMBRA 2021: APC, Uba Postpone Campaign Flag-Off To Honour Victims Of Attacks

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the campaign flag-off ceremony of the party scheduled to hold today (Saturday) ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra.

APC governorship candidate, Senator Andy Uba, in a statement disclosed that the decision was to honour victims of various violent attacks in the state in the last one week, adding that the party would not play politics with the lives of people.

The state has in recent time come under heavy violence and attack by unknown gunmen, leading to killings of people in different parts of the state and destruction of properties.

Uba said, “Like every other well-meaning member of the public, I have followed with much sadness and grief, the recent, unfortunate and mindless state of violence and insecurity in Anambra state.”

He expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the attacks and urged the citizens to be hopeful in overcoming the current situation and go about their normal businesses while keeping vigilant and taking necessary measures for safety.

He said, “As a mark of respect and honour for all those who have lost their lives I, in consultation with the leadership of our great party and campaign council, have decided to cancel the campaign flag-off rally scheduled for Saturday, 2nd October 2021 in Onitsha.

“Umunne M Ndi Anambra, you will all agree with me that our culture and tradition hold lives sacred. It follows therefore that the safety and preservation of the lives of our people MUST at all times take precedence over any political interest, activities and/or associations.

“I, Senator Andy Emmanuel Uba will be the very last person to sacrifice or play politics with the lives of our people. Neither will I allow anybody to do so under my watch. I will ensure, moving forward, that I put everything lawfully at my disposal to ensure these politically motivated killings are brought to an end to enable the good people of Anambra go about their lawful businesses without fear of any sort.”

The criminalities in the state have involved destruction of properties and killing of individuals including the recent murder of Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Dora Akunyili, ex-DG of NAFDAC.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo had earlier done similar thing during his Independence Day message.

Ozigbo condemned the attacks, and suspended his campaign activities for the week in honour of the victims of the attack in the state.

In an effort to combat the ugly development in the state, the Governor, Willie Obiano, had on Wednesday, issued a statement offering N20 million reward to anybody with useful information leading to arrest of perpetrators of the crime.