*Begins 21 Councils Tour
FROM CHUKS COLLINS, AWKA
THE immediate past managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, has picked the Labour Party (LP) Nomination and Expression of Interest forms for the forthcoming November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
Moghalu, who reportedly procured both forms at N30million at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, shortly afterward expressed optimism at winning the party’s primary and the November 8 election, saying he has all that it takes to defeat incumbent Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, in the election.
“For me, it is a privilege to run on the platform of LP, because one may decide to run, but the party may refuse to accept you. It is not just about paying for the forms, but also about being accepted by the people you want to represent.
“The assurance I want to give the people today is that I will not betray their confidence and trust, because I am a party man. I understand the dynamics, having served in a party secretariat.
“My loyalty to wherever I belong cannot be questioned. I have always remained in one party since the inception of this democratic dispensation, but had to leave for LP because, in every political consideration, two factors are always critical -the party and the person.
“Ambition is not war or a fight, because at the end of the day, one person will fly the party’s flag in Anambra State. It is my wish and firm belief in God that I will be that person.”
Earlier, while presenting the two forms to Moghalu, the party’s National Chairman, Mr. Julius Abure, assured that his leadership would continue to guarantee a transparent, free and fair primary.
He stated: “I want to assure you that you have taken the right decision. The Anambra State primary will be free, fair and credible.
“Our party members in Anambra will determine who becomes the governorship candidate; Abuja will not dictate who becomes the candidate. It is the people- LP members in Anambra State- who will decide.
“I want to urge you that while obtaining the form is a good step, you must return to engage with party members. We need to work to endear you to the party members, who ultimately have the power to nominate the governorship candidate.
“Without sounding immodest, I want to congratulate you and wish you the best of luck.”
Meanwhile, the former national auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has assured people of the state that he would not disappoint them.
Speaking at Nzam, where he kickstarted his local councils tour and meetings with LP stakeholders and executives in the state, Moghalu, while addressing party chiefs, lamented the state of access roads into the area, saying there is so much to be done in the whole state, especially in Anambra West Council.
Responding to issues raised by the stakeholders as it affects their area, the aspirant noted that nobody had ever filled visitors’ form to see him in any office he had ever occupied, adding that as he answers all calls and responds to text messages promptly.
He noted that the area remained the agriculture base of the state and he would take it to the next level for effective productivity and industrialization, adding that Anambra West and other councils need to be turned to exporters of farm and industrial products.
Moghalu stated that the restoration of palm produce in the Southeast, cocoa in the Southwest and groundnut in the North would begin from the Southeast for other regions to emulate once he becomes governor.
On flooding, he recalled that Malaysia, which took palm seeds from Nigeria years ago, has now become the world’s biggest producer of palm produce, with the production of 39 bye-products from palm trees.
“All these would be reactivated and restored as soon as I become the governor. I will not disappoint you,” he reassured.
