2023: Umeh storms ASMATA secretariat, canvasses for votes

2023: Umeh storms ASMATA secretariat, canvasses for votes

By Chinwe Nwacha Onitsha

The Labour Party, LP, Anambra Central Senatorial Zone candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, stormed the secretariat of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders' Association, ASMATA, where he met with the traders and canvassed for votes to enable him get to the green chamber.

Speaking to the traders, he said that LP's Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, would reshape the economy of this country for the better if voted into power adding that all should vote for LP to take the country to the next level 

He lamented that the military worsened the condition of the Southeast zone by giving the zone only five States and 95 local Government Areas when other zones have more States and Local Government Areas, adding that the national cake is shared according to number of States and Local Government Areas 

"Peter Obi, our brother should be voted for because God's hand is in this election.Obi's exit from PDP was divine because it is now turn of the Southeast zone and it would not have been possible to achieve this if Obi were to remain in PDP.

"I do things for the betterment of my people and not for myself. Those contesting with me don't know what the Senate is all about and that is why I urge for your votes to enable me to be there. National Assembly is not for jamboree, it is for serious business, it is there that the national cake is shared and people like me should be there so that if Obi is elected, our share is 100 per cent sure", he hinted.

On the swap of the naira he lamented that there is no money to buy even food stuff adding that  people are suffering a lot in the APC-led Federal Government.

"I believe that the election is coming next week maybe because of the election, they want to freeze the cash flow and the system but there must be a way to release money that will be sufficient for people to have their daily need.

"We have no advice for this present government, this present government is going, they stayed there for nearly eight years, so what advice are you giving them. We should pray that Peter Obi will take over very soon to solve all these problems. People who have been in office for eight years and nothing has changed and you want me to advise them when it is only about four months for them to go. So our prayer is that Nigeria should make a right choice and make a decision to vote Mr. Peter Obi on the election day so that all these problems will be resolved.

Also on the litigation against him by Senator Uche Ekwunife, he said that, "it is non of her business, Ekwunife is not a member of Labour party and the law is that a person who is not a member of a party cannot challenge the outcome of another party's primary. Even if you are a member of that party, unless you took part in the primary you cannot sue as well, how much more Ekwunife, a member of PDP, coming to challenge my nomination, Nigerian law does not allow that and you will see that very soon that one will become history again," he affirmed.

In his response, the ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, thanked him and promised him that traders would support him and Peter Obi as their brothers and mentors, predicting that one day Peter Obi would pay all the debts Nigeria owes.

Contributing, Chief Emmanuel Obiagwu, Idemili zonal chairman,  recalled that when Umeh was in senate, he always watched senators' programmes in TVs, stating that Umeh is the type of person needed in senate and prayed that God will always be with him to win the election.

He promised him that they will announce to both traders, families, friends and relations that he is the person they are supporting, and  that Ume has suffered much for ASMATA and as such, is the ASMATA candidate.

In their various contributions,  Mr.Paul Okafor, Mrs. Promise Ezeigwe - chairlady Awka markets, Mr. Ugochukwu Nwaokaka - chairman Oye Agu market and Mr. Andrew Onwuasoanya - Aniocha Local Government coordinator, vowed to vote for LP.