OHAMADIKE ON BLAZE 91.5FM SUNDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2016

Anchor: Ebuka Franklin
Guest: Chief Sir Victor Umeh OFR, Ohamadike

Chief Sir Victor Umeh speaking on the upcoming elections in Anambra Central Senatorial District stated that there is nothing like re-run in the court judgement, the court never made any order for re-run but fresh election.

"fresh election is a repeat election and only those who participated in the previous/nullified election can contest " - Ohamadike quoted Justice Ogbuagu

Ohamadike also said that the issue of INEC banning some political parties from fielding fresh candidates is not peculiar to Anambra Central alone but applies to every other areas where elections were nullified, awaiting fresh elections.

ON THE ISSUE OF PRESSURING TO EMERGE UNOPPOSED AS PURPORTED BY SOME CRITICS
Ohamadike debunked such allegations and stated that 15 candidates from 15 political parties contested the election on March 18th 2015 but in the current situation, the court had disqualified PDP from participating and as for the APC, there were no such cases only that the APC candidate Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige (Onwa) is now a minister of the Federal Republic and has decided not to participate in the election. However, even if Dr Chris Ngige finally decides to return to the contest, the time for such opportunities had elapsed.

The INEC stipulations demands that he should've resigned 30 days to the election from his current position in order to vie for the senatorship position. Therefore, APC can not also take part in the election. We are now about 13 candidates from 13 political parties contesting in that election so the issue of trying to go unopposed does not arise.

DASUKIGATE: ON THE ALLEGED AGREEMENT AND MONEY COLLECTED FOR THE ENDORSEMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN
Chief Sir Victor Umeh stated that APGA never went into any agreement with the People Democratic Party (PDP). APGA's endorsement and support for former President Goodluck Jonathan was initiated by the interest for the implementation of the resolve of the National Conference. "Former President Goodluck Jonathan promised to implement the report of the National Conference and that was our interest" - Ohamadike

Ohamadike also pointed out the necessities of the resolve of the conference as its implementation would go a long way in settling most of the problems facing the nation. He noted some of these exigencies as the issue of sharing formula of the national resources "based on that report, the resources would be shared between states then the states would in turn share among the local governments".
Another one is true fiscal federalism and rotational presidency within the various regions in Nigeria.

He reiterated that he never went into any agreement with the PDP whether for himself or on behalf of APGA. "we didn't have any memorandum of understanding with the PDP, we didn't take a penny /kobo to endorse former President Jonathan. We even financed all our programs for Jonathan" - Ohamadike added.

ON HIS CHANCES OF WINNING THE ELECTION AND THE ALLEGED MANIPULATION OF INEC AND THE MILITARY
Ohamadike - I am very confident on winning the election, of course I won it previously; the results released by the INEC even after they've carried out mutilations on the figures were 86,000 votes for me, they awarded the PDP candidate 93,000 and Dr Chris Ngige of APC got 24,000 votes... When you study the results you'll understand that the margin between me and Ekwunife of PDP is just 7,000 votes even with all their rigging. When we carried out the proper tabulation of the results based on what was gathered at the pooling units, APGA got over 100,000 votes; so you can see that I won the election and I know the people will vote me again.

Ohamadike added that the PDP does not have a grassroot structure in Anambra state, they only hope on federal might to manipulate the election because they controlled the police, INEC and other authorities while APGA does not control any of the above mentioned agencies but they control the grassroot which are the voters.

ON HIS MISSION AND VISION
Ohamadike stressed that his first assignment is to serve the people of Anambra Central in the best of his ability, ensuring that dividends of democracy is enjoyed by everyone in the region, assisting the governor of Anambra state in sustaining the development of the state.

His second assignment Ohamadike said would be to stand firm without fear or shame of being a loquacious Igbo man speaking for the interest of Ndigbo in the Senate. "I will give my people a bold, strong and courageous representation".

"arguing during plenary and using the media outside the plenary to correct the wrongs meted against the Igbos in Nigeria " - Ohamadike added

He promised to work together with the 15 Senators of the South East in ensuring effective representation of Ndigbo. Ohamadike also said he would oppose to the harassments of the customs on the major roads against unsuspecting traders.

ON THE ISSUE OF BEING A LONE VOICE IN THE SENATE OR APPRENTICE SENATOR
-Ohamadike: legislation is lawmaking, I know the law even better than some of those who call themselves lawmakers, so the issue of apprentice Senator does not arise.

Some of those talking about "first-timer" were there when the military quelled the MASSOB /IPOB protesters with guns but if I were there already, such a thing would not have happened because I would've told them the International stipulations for peaceful protests.

Recounting some of his numerous achievements in the National conference Ohamadike noted that since the Biafra civil war which ended in 1970, the Federal Government never approved one(1) percent for reconstruction of the southern region destroyed by war yet the same government was negotiating investing a very high percentage of the national revenue on rehabilitation of the North affected by insurgency but owing to the pressure I mounted, the whole issue was reversed.

"there shall be five(5) percent of national revenue set aside aside for the rehabilitation of every region affected by internal conflict and war" - Ohamadike quoted conference resolution

ON THE ISSUE OF IDENTIFYING WITH A GOVERNMENT WITH DOMINANT MAJORITY AT THE SENATE
Ohamadike described that as irrelevant stressing that Anambra Central had been under PDP Senators which constituted the majority in the Senate yet we have nothing to show for it; our federal roads are bad and federal presence is lacking in the area.

"a lone voice that is strong and convincing can make a lot of difference even better than those who claim majority " - Ohamadike

RESPONDING TO A TEXT ON HIS PLANS FOR THE YOUTHS
" I have always advised the youths that there is dignity in labour " - Ohamadike
He admonished the youths to always endeavor to take bold steps in pursuit of their career, either in education or skills.

He stressed that he is a youth friendly person and as a Senator, he would expand his scholarship scheme which has already produced over one hundred(100) graduates in first degree, masters and even PhD in various professional courses and over 80 students still in school...

He promised to ensure that employable youths are gainfully employed within his capacity and to carryout skill acquisition programs to empower the youths in various areas of specification. Ohamadike pointed out that APGA government under Governor Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano has been outstanding in youth empowerment and job creation promising to work together with him in achieving more success in that regard.

A TEXT MESSAGE REQUESTING TO KNOW HOW HE WOULD BE ABLE TO PASS A BILL IN THE SENATE CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT HE IS THE ONLY APGA SENATOR
Ohamadike stated that every Senator has right to present a bill with equal opportunity, "I will device means of gaining support from others even from the APC and the PDP Senators"

ON AN ALLEGATION BY THE STATE PUBLICITY SECRETARY OF APC ANAMBRA STATE ON BRIBING INEC TO DISQUALIFY OTHER CANDIDATES TO ENABLE HIM GO UNOPPOSED
Ohamadike described that as laughable stressing that he never visited the INEC office in the past 8 months.

"there's nothing like that, I have never visited the INEC office for the past 8 months. The young man is only trying to deceive the people but it's unfortunate for him that the truth is explicit; our people already knows the truth "

He reiterated his commitment in ensuring that the judicial pronouncements which are guiding the process is strictly adhered to.

ON THE ISSUE OF PRO-SARAKI OR PRO-LAWAL AND WHETHER A YES OR NO VOTE FOR OR AGAINST THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT
Ohamadike: such a thing wouldn't be my business; I am going to the Senate to represent my people and negotiate a better life for them and not going there to play internal politics.

If anyone commits impeachable offense, he should be impeached but if not, he should be allowed to stay and carry out his constitutional responsibilities.

ABOUT WHETHER THE ELECTION WOULD HOLD ON MARCH 5TH AS SCHEDULED OR POSTPONED FURTHER
Ohamadike stressed that there's no room for such situation. "the judgment has been made and the election is already fixed, there no such room for postponement, the election must hold on 5th of March" - Ohamadike

A CALLER ASKED TO KNOW HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AS NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF APGA
Ohamadike insisted that as National Chairman of APGA for about 10 years, he was able to establish the party to a formidable force capable of taking over the nation's politics soon.

He pointed out that he fought doggedly with the former governor of Anambra state both during elections and post election battles and ensured that he ended successfully and handed over to another APGA governor in the person of Chief Dr Willie Obiano, Akpokuedike. He also noted how he won elections in other states which includes the governorship position of Imo state which later switched to the APC.

He also pointed out how he had been able to affect the lives of people via employment opportunities and otherwise.

ON FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
"corruption is an act of carrying out infamous activities; an act which does not aline with ones legitimate responsibility " - Ohamadike

He argued that corruption does not necessarily have to do with stealing but every other activity illegal to the law. He promised to support the efforts of the presidency is driving corruption out of Nigeria.

ABOUT THE ONITSHA - ENUGU EXPRESS WAY
Chief Sir Victor Umeh stated that he would utilize every possible means to draw the attention of the appropriate authorities to the deplorable state of the road in order to get it done as soon as possible.

>Ndi Anambra Central, you have seen the heart of the man whom God has chosen to represent us in the Senate; how pure and how compassionate it is... Let us mobilize all voters within us and vote for the APGA candidate in this coming election (5th March 2016).

With Chief Sir Victor Umeh, Ohamadike Ndigbo in the Senate, the voice of the voiceless Igbos shall be heard and a lot of wrongs shall be righted.

By Charles Ifeanyi Obi

anambra.arise@gmail.com