From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
The senator representing Anambra Central in the National Assembly, Mrs Uche Ekwunife, says her ambition in going back to the Senate is to become Nigeria’s next Senate president.
Senator Ekwunife said that with Atiku Abubakar emerging Nigeria’s president in 2023, and with the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) forming the next government, she would very likely emerge next president of the Senate.
Senator Ekwunife was quoted as making the assertion recently in Awka on the occasion of the Inauguration and Awards Day of the Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State (APPAS), Anambra Central Senatorial District, where the senator was honoured with an Excellent Service Award.
“Let me be very sincere and straight forward to you, there are only two political parties contesting the 2023 general election – they are the PDP, and the ruling APC. Forget whatever others are doing.
“There is every indication that PDP will form the next government, given the fact that the ruling party has failed woefully. With Atiku Abubakar emerging Nigeria’s president, and with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) forming the next government; there is every likelihood that I will be the next Senate president.
“Senate President is contested among ranking members in major political parties. Those contesting with me cannot get that slot, even if they won – though they cannot win. I’ll win them because they cannot measure up to my performance.
“The red cap man in the Labour Party, even if he won, he would be at the back seat. He cannot be the Senate president. Should I be talking about the other boy in APGA, who took over from me as member of the House of Representatives? Till date, the shoes I left are still oversized for him.
“You people should help me tell him that Senate is for men and women; not for boys – not for kindergarten politicians.
“I am placing emphasis on our people supporting my aspiration, because, even if my opponents could ever win, they will remain at the back seat. They cannot be principal members of the Senate. Enyinnaya Abaribe was very vocal at the Senate when he was the minority leader. But when he decamped to APGA, he relinquished that position, and the voice was lost.
“Dozie Nwankwo, who replaced me, is a ranking member of the House of Representatives, but he is not a chairman of any committee. This is because of his political party. This is why I want our people to support my aspiration this time around; so that I will go to the Senate and get what is due for our people.”
Ekwunife, therefore, begged the group to lend their unalloyed support to her aspiration as they did in 2019.
Earlier, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra Central, Chief Okelekwe Kodilichukwu, who was also honoured with an award during the ceremony, said that he would do better than all those contesting against him if elected senator in 2023.
“I represent the breath of fresh air. I remain the best among those contesting for Senate in Anambra Central. You don’t settle for better when the best is possible. All I want from our people is the opportunity to showcase my best.
“Uche Ekwunife was in the House of Representatives for eight years. She has been in the Senate for the past four years. Dozie Nwankwo is in the House of Representatives for eight years. Chief Victor Umeh was APGA’s national chairman for 11 years, and was in the Senate for four years. You have seen their best – you need to give me a four-year opportunity in the Senate to showcase my best.
“My candidature represents humility in character and optimum results. But if you wanted arrogance, and unbridled quest for power, you can still try others,” he said.
