Chief Akai Egwuonwu, Chairman of Stine Industries, makers of Anambra Rice, has thrown his hat to contest the Anambra South senatorial by-election, to replace the zone’s deceased senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah. Emerging information suggests that the by-election primaries will be conducted sometime in December 2024 by participating political parties, while the main election will be held in January of 2025.
During his declaration on Sunday at his home in Amichi, Nnewi South local government area, Chief Akai Egwuonwu in his remarks, appealed for the support of APGA faithful in the seven local government areas of Anambra South. According to Akai, support for Nnewi South is support for fairness because it would create balance in the Anambra South polity.
Speaking on his legislative agenda, Mr. Egwuonwu said he has three legislative agendas. The first is security. On security, he assured that he would leverage the progress made by Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and strengthen Ubah’s strides on security in the zone. There are heightened security concerns in Anambra, but in Anambra South, the concerns are even far more disturbing. “As your senator, I will hit the ground running and ensure that we tackle the insecurity head-on,” Chief Egwuonwu said. His second agenda is micro-credit for small, micro, and medium businesses. Drawing inspiration from his experience with peti businesswomen whom he had assisted with capital at various times in Nnewi South, as well as similar business grant opportunities in the United Kingdom, Chief Akai said that to inspire massive business and entrepreneurial capability of the people, funding is crucial for their businesses. This, he said is a priority for him. The third agenda is his commitment to leverage legislative instruments to defend, promote, and protect the interests of his constituents. “These are things I considered and decided to present myself and in the spirit of being our brother’s keeper in APGA, it is good that we support Nnewi South and my humble self, to represent Anambra South in the coming by-election,” Egwuonwu said.
In attendance were party stakeholders in Nnewi South and six other LGAs in Anambra South. Earlier, Chief Maja Umeh, a prominent APGA leader and a member of the party’s Board of Trustees, appealed for support by other LGAs to Nnewi South. He also endorsed without equivocation, the aspiration of Chief Akai Egwuonwu. “Only 4 LGAs have 20 wards in Anambra State. Three of these LGAs are in Anambra South and two have federal constituencies, except Nnewi South. That is why we call to beg that we have a capable candidate who can go for us, based on what he has been doing. He has a clean record; I am talking about Chief Akai Egwuonwu. I fully endorse him,” Chief Maja Umeh said. Hon. Barr. Kingsley Iruba, a former two-term member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, was at the event and also pleaded with the other six LGAs to support Nnewi South to produce the senator that will replace Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah. Hon. Egwuoyibo Okoye, a former State Chairman of APGA, former House member, and a known stakeholder in Nnewi South also made the same appeal and also endorsed Akai. The APGA Chairman in Nnewi South LGA, Azubuike Osuchukwu, made a special appeal to the six LGAs to support Nnewi South and Chief Akai for the senate. The Nnewi South LGA Chairman, Hon. Van George Ezeogidi was also present and echoed the same appeal and support for Chief Akai Egwuonwu. “Please, support Nnewi South. We know Chief Akai and we see him always. Please, let’s join hands and support him,” he said.
So far, many people have expressed interest in the coming senatorial by-election on various political platforms. However, Chief Akai Egwuonwu’s aspiration has been adjudged by many as a good development.
Ebuka graduated with a second-class upper-division degree in Political Science from the University of Calabar in Nigeria. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master's Degree in Political Science with a specialization in Government and Development Studies from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Awka, Nigeria. His academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a deep understanding of political dynamics and governance issues.
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