The APGA flag-bearer for the November 16 gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has received the overwhelming blessing of a cross section of the clergy in Anambra State in his bid to take over the reins of leadership from Governor Peter Obi.

The priests who belong to the Spiritan Missions otherwise known as the Holy Ghost Fathers, bestowed their blessing on Chief Obiano when the APGA Team led by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, stormed the solemn ceremony held to mark the Missionaries’ Founders Day at 3-3 Corner, in the outskirts of Onitsha, the commercial city in Anambra State.

Receiving the APGA Team, the Provincial Superior of the Spiritans, Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Peter Agbonome, explained that the Catholic Church in Anambra State was happy with the sterling achievements of Governor Peter Obi and the APGA leadership in the state and would lend its support to the APGA candidate in the coming election.

“We are happy with the current government in Anambra State. We have seen the indices of his performance. We do not measure success based on the claims politicians make in the media. We listen to the ordinary people to hear their views. We live among them. If you do well, they will tell us. I am happy with Chief Obiano, the APGA candidate and we shall pray for him to win the election. We wish him well,” Very Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Agbonome declared.

According to him, Anambra State has all it takes to be the best in the world but has been pegged back over the years by bad leadership. He therefore assured Chief Obiano and Chief Umeh that the Spiritans, made up essentially of theologians and philosophers would stand by the party and its candidate in the coming election.

In his speech, the APGA standard bearer, Chief Obiano explained that he was fundamentally inspired to offer himself for the service of his people by the good work Governor Obi has done in Anambra State. “I am confident that I can improve on Governor Obi’s achievements. I can assure you that we shall continue, conclude and commission all existing projects and initiatives in Anambra State and commence new ones that will mark Anambra out as a frontline state in the country,” he declared.

“I will energize commerce and industry and devote efforts to expanding the scope of our oil and gas industry to ensure that Anambra begins to enjoy the benefits that are accruable to its status as an oil producing state,” Chief Obiano further assured.

The APGA guber aspirant further explained that he has a well-developed Blueprint for the accelerated development of Anambra State which is anchored on what he called The Wheel which revolves around four key areas including Industrialization, Trade and Commerce, Agriculture and Oil & Gas.

“Outside of The Wheel, you have the 10-pillars of Development which you might call the enablers. These are things that will easily mark us out as serious agents of change when we assume office. They include education, health, the environment, housing and urban development, infrastructural development, tourism, Sports and youth development, security and social welfare, agriculture and civil service and administration,” he further explained.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the National Chairman of APGA Chief Victor Umeh had explained that the first four years of APGA leadership of Anambra State under Obi were spent on setting the tone for the moral rebirth of the state.

“This informed our decision to return schools to the missions. It is very important that we elect a God fearing man who understands the rudiments of good leadership,” he further emphasised, pointing out that Chief Obiano was the best man for the job.

•Photo shows APGA candidate Obiano.

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