Onitsha markets literally stood still yesterday as the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, alongside his wife, Ebelechukwu, and other APGA fateful embarked on a whirlwind campaign tour as part of the final push to ensure victory for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and President Goodluck Jonathan during this Saturday’s elections.

Kicking off at the Ose-Okwodu Market, the campaign tour took the governor and his entourage through Bright Street Market to White House Headquarters of the Onitsha Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA) down to Marine Market and Sokoto Road Market.

Speaking at the Ose-Okwodu Market, Governor Obiano called on Ndi Anambra to turn out en masse and vote for APGA candidates in the elections beginning on March 28. He told the excited crowd that the tour of markets became necessary to sensitise and rally them for the task ahead. According to the governor, “We are starting here at Ose because my mother’s shop is just by the corner where she sells Mangala fish. Most of you know Nne Willie; and I grew up around here. Of course, you know that all the money that put me through school came from my Mom’s shop right here. So I am one of you.”

The governor thanked the Ose traders for their support for his government and promised that work would commence immediately in the area to ensure that the road is smooth. He urged the Ose-Okwodu traders and those along Bright Street to vote for President Jonathan and APGA candidates.

At the White House head office of OMATA, Governor Obiano thanked the traders and called for massive support for APGA.

In his speech, National Chairman of APGA and candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, told the traders that the governor has met and surpassed their expectations since inception through the great job he is doing in Anambra. He assured them that the light of APGA will not die in the hands of Obiano and that one of the ways of securing the future of the state is to vote for all the APGA candidates who will work with the governor to sustain his giant strides.

Also speaking at the Marine Road Market, wife of the governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, called on the market women and men who appreciate the good work the governor is doing to vote for APGA candidates so as to enable him sustain the development of Anambra State. Mrs. Obiano told the traders that the governor has assured that the high level of security of life and property currently enjoyed across Anambra is a priority for his government and would be sustained. She therefore asked for their continuous support and prayers.

The traders trooped at en masse at the various stops during the rally to express their appreciation for governor Obiano and the APGA administration in Anambra as well their commitment to vote for APGA candidates and President Jonathan during the elections.

•Photo shows Governor Willie Obiano and wife, Ebelechukwu, on the campaign trail in Onitsha markets.