What Andy Ubah Has Over Other Candidates.

Buchi Noel Loris.

Sunday, 03 September.

The date for the governorship election in Anambra state is gradually inching closer. It is scheduled to be held on November 6th, 2021, hence, it is less than 6 weeks away.

According to INEC, 18 political parties registered for the election.

All the candidates and their political parties are crossing their T’s and doting their i’s. Everyone is implementing their gimmicks and strategies to ensure the election result outcome goes their way.

Campaign has already commenced and many political parties have begun their usual tour round the local governments of the state. Campaign posters have taken their places on the walls of the streets and the billboards along the roads. Political jingles have dominated the airwaves. The scent of election is in the air and everyone can feel it.

In the heat and heart of all these, one of the candidates to watch out for in the forthcoming election is the All Progressive Congress (APC) standard bearer, Senator Andy Uba. He was once a governor of the state for barely 3 weeks in 2007 until the Apex court declared that Peter Obi’s tenure was not yet over. He has also served as a senator representing Anambra South in the red Chambers. He was also a former aide to the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. Thus, he’s not a political neophyte.

Being a veteran in politics, Andy Uba knows the knack and tact of clinching any political position he vies for. This was exemplified by the unprecedented massive defection of stakeholders of other parties to the APC soon after he was declared the winner in the party’s primary.

Few days ago, the former governor of Anambra state, HE Peter Obi, in a campaign tour with the PDP standard bearer, Val Ozigbo, recognized him (Andy Uba) as a candidate to beat in the election. He had said during his speech that the contest is basically between three polical parties- APGA, PDP and APC. According to his speech, one of the gladiators in the election is Andy Uba. And no one seems to doubt him.

Again, recall that Senator Andy Uba is representing the political party that’s ruling at the center. One cannot underestimate the would-be influence of this in the outcome of the election. In fact, this was the reason for the outrage when INEC announced Imo state as the collation center after the election. People were skeptical about the election results being tampered with, bearing in mind that Imo state is also governed by an APC governor.

More so, Senator Andy Uba appears to have expertise in engaging with the electorates. Currently his verified Facebook page has been busy with interaction between him and the electorates. He has choosen to leverage the platform to relaying his campaign promises to the people, and it seems to be working for him as many people through that act have been won over. The manner with which he also replies to comments has been instrumental.

However, one stumbling block Andy will have to battle with is the apparent unacceptance that usually meet the party in the state. There is obviously a miasma of rejection hanging above the party in Anambra state, probably because of the poor performance of the party at the center. But if Andy is able to wade and navigate beyond this miasma, the election might go his way.