The Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Prince Ken Emeakayi yesterday stormed the “Home for All” state with a grand reconciliation rally at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, the state capital.

The rally drew a mammoth crowd from the 21 local government areas of the state as well supporters of the 11 governorship aspirants cleared by the party to contest the primaries slated for tomorrow, August 12.^, It also had in attendance some members of the National Assembly, former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara, as well as the party’s South East National Vice Chairman, Col. Robert Akobundu (retd.).

Aspirants present at the rally included former state chairman of the party,Tony Nwoye, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, former senator Emma Anosike, Obinna Uzor, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Mr. Emeka Enyiocha, Bar. Sylvester Okonkwo, Mr. Ugochukwu Okeke and Mr. Walter Ubaka Okeke.

Speaking at the occasion, the state party chairman, Prince Emeakayi, said that the Anambra PDP has reconciled all aggrieved bodies and has come to take over the Agu-Awka seat of power come March 2014.

While stressing that the battle is over, he added that they only have issues with the tenants in the party, and that it is “Operation win to win.”

Emeakayi said: “We no longer have any faction in the party, from today, we want to unite and be a party under one umbrella of PDP. There is no quarrel amongst our aspirants but it can be allowed against other party contenders.

“No person here has been chosen as the party’s candidate and when the candidate emerges, he will not be an emperor. As soon as a candidate emerges, we will have a closed-door meeting with the rest of the candidates and share the positions while the party will choose the running mate – not the aspirants. PDP candidate will be here in March 2014 to say, ‘So help me God’.”

Prince Emeakayi urged the aspirants to get down to work and start mobilising the grassroots for the election in November. He disclosed that there would be a joint tour of the 21 local government areas of the state with all the aspirants of the party.

In his speech, Col. Akobundu affirmed that peace has returned to the party, declaring that Emeakayi is the party’s authentic Anambra State Chairman. He promised to relocate to the state to ensure that PDP reclaims the seat of power, assuring that there would be no imposition of candidate of any sort, but a fair chance for all contenders.

“As soon as a candidate emerges, the rest of the aspirants will collapse their structures to support the emerged candidate. We will deliver Anambra to PDP both for the governorship and presidential elections,” the PDP South East National Vice Chairman said.

Also speaking at the occasion, Senator Anosike said that governorship struggle is not a part-time business. He stressed that he was ready to abide by the decisions of the party and would support whoever emerged as the party’s flag bearer.

On his part, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, who is contesting the position for the third time, noted that his pedigree is enough to sell him as the right candidate to fly the party’s flag. His words: “I am a peaceful man. I have always been loyal to our great party and I am ready to abide by the party’s decisions.”

Another aspirant, Prince Ukachukwu, laced his speech with an idiom, saying: “If you fill a full pot, it will overflow and waste.Ikukuoma is handsome, has money and has power. It is only a stranger that requires foundation. I have the fear of God; let us put someone who has the fear of the Lord and will deliver.”

In his remarks, Obinna Uzor said that he is a man of philanthropy and plans to extend the good works he has done for people, individuals and the church to the state if chosen as the candidate and supported to win the November election.

However, a notable aspirant, Dr. Andy Uba, was conspicuously absent and there was no explanation as to the strange development.

The reconciliation rally ended with a song of praise by Gospel singer Chinyere Udoma.

•Photo courtesy The Nation shows state party chairman Emeakayi speaking at the rally.