President Muhamamdu Buhari on Tuesday received the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State, Andy Uba at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Chairman of the APC caretaker and extra ordinary convention committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai-Mala Buni presented the candidate to the Nigerian leader.
Addressing State House Correspondents, the APC caretaker Chairman said President Buhari expressed optimism to see that Uba is elected and to work with him as Governor.
He said: “The President is quite impressed and delighted receiving our candidate today because he presented the flag to the candidate and congratulated him. The President is delight and he is following developments in that State closely.”
Buni said the APC was sure of victory in the November 6 election because of the performance of President Buhari, especially taking into consideration the infrastructural development he has taken to the South-East zone.
“We have a committee working hard to bring all our members together in Anambra State for us to have a one united family to face the election and we are sure of victory.
“Many people are crossing over to APC since after our gubernatorial primaries and that attests to the President’s performance especially when you see to the infrastructure he is putting in place across the country and especially in the South-East like the ongoing 2nd Niger Bridge and the Enugu-Onitsha road and many others.
“That is part of what is attracting many people into the party, coupled with the fact that APC has produced a candidate that is acceptable c to the people of Anambra State. The entrance of Senator Joy Emordi and Senator Joy Odua into the party has also boosted the chances of the party in Anambra State. So you can see that APC is accepted in Anambra and by the grace of God we are going to win the election,” he said.
Also speaking, the candidate, Andy Uba said he was pleased with what he heard from President Buhari.
“I was surprised by the endorsement of the President; what he said to me today because it came from his heart. He said I have been looking forward to seeing you, looking forward to working with you and I wish u well so that at the end, Anambra State will be an APC State,” Uba stated.
He assured his supporters that he has a cordial working relationship with Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, who hails from the State.
In his remarks, Gov Uzodinma, as Chairman of the Campaign Council, assured the President that the message of the Party would be taken to the people of Anambra “which will translate to victory for us in November.”
He also thanked the President for making the job easier, “because of the integrity and honour you have in Nigeria. Your name opens doors for us, and lots of people come into our party today because of it.”
“By the grace of God, we will be successful,” Gov Uzodinma concluded.
The candidate was accompanied to the event by the Chairman, Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee of the party and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, Hope Uzodinma of Imo, who is also Chairman, Campaign Council, as well as Governors Gboyega Oyetola of Osun, Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and George Akume, Minister for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Highpoint of the visit was the presentation of the APC flag to the candidate by President Buhari.
Nneka Ukachukwu
