O’stars Eze
It was a battle of titans in the first half of the Debate, tagged 2023 Anambra Political Dialogue which held Thursday, February 16, 2023. It was a complete drama from beginning to end. The tension was as exciting as it equally engaging.
The organisers of the debate anchored by Prince Emeka Kalu made sure that Senator Victor Umeh would stand beside Senator Uche Ekwunife.
In fact, immediately Umeh stepped on the stage of Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Hall, he opted to give Senator Uche Ekwunife enough space, but at the jeer of the audience manned up to stand quite close to her.
The anchor,Prince Emeka Kalu tricked them into holding hands to the satisfaction of the entertained audience. The five Anambra Central Senatorial candidates held hands as they took an oath not to jump on each other’s necks during the debate.
Dozie Nwankwo of the APGA was noticeably absent as the five went to stand behind their podiums which had their party logos displayed. The APGA podium was noticeably empty.
The first spark flew when the APC Candidate, Kodilichukwu Okelekwe raised alarm at what he described as partiality by the moderators of the debate in time allocation. He felt marginalised.
Then Ekwunife interrupted the APC guy, Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, when he said in passing that she had spent 18 years in the legislative chambers. “That’s not true, 12 years, please.” “Don’t interrupt me, please.”
Then it got to the moment when Dozie Nwankwo barged into the hall and his followers with their branded clothes soaked into the audience. Dozie was seen lobbying to be admitted into the debate.
The anchor, Prince Emeka Kalu announced that they were coming to the end of the first half of the debate. He then introduced Dozie Nwankwo who he announced would join the debaters but would not be allowed to answer the questions of the first round.
“No, I won’t take that,” The NNPP female lawyer, Barrister Helen Mbakwe interjected.
“I won’t take it. You told me this debate was for 10 am. I was here a few minutes to 10 am and it took another 2 hours before the event started. And you are telling me someone would walk in at any time and be allowed to join us? These are the issues. We need to start making our laws work and obeying our laws…” The anchor allowed her to steam out. He then asked that the matter be put to vote among them after each of them was asked to comment on the development.
The two ladies said they did not think Dozie should be allowed into the debate. The three men solicited for mercy though adding that the APGA flag bearer would only participate in the second round.
The anchor called for a vote and it came out 3 to 2 in favor of Dozie joining the debate.
Ekwunife raised her hand to make a comment.
“I did not remember before now that Senator Victor Umeh is not a valid candidate of the Labour Party. And the court gave him directive to desist from parading himself as a candidate. I should not have been here answering questions when you invited him too. He is not a valid candidate and that invalidates everything we have done so far.”
The anchor continued the debate without batting an eye, promising Ekwunife that her concerns would be addressed. Ekwunife would not have it. She just packed her things from the podium and walked away.
No amount of pleading by the NUJ state chairman, Dr Emeka Odogwu and other organizers of the event would make her change her mind. She walked away.
The NNPP candidate,Barr Helen Mbakwe, quickly followed suit and Victor threatened to walk away too claiming the debate had been “brought to disrepute by this lady” (referring to Ekwunife). “You can see the kind of person she is.”
The debate would continue without the two ladies,more questions were thrown and answered. Then, it got to when they were asked to ask each other questions.
“2 years ago, there was a request to approve borrowing some billions for infrastructure across Nigeria and the president attached the list of infrastructure which had no project in the southeast, you did not oppose it, Dozie Nwankwo, why?” – Victor Umeh to Dozie Nwankwo
Dozie Nwankwo: “I was not in the house then… maybe you were.”
Dozie Nwankwo to Umeh: “We promised each other before the primaries to support each other if we won the primaries, why did you leave the party?”
Umeh: “We never had such agreement. You disrespect me the way you called my name. You defeated your father!!!”
“I have the requisite courage and experience and knowledge of the challenges facing our people” – Umeh signed out.
“God has given me self actualization. I need to reciprocate and that is why I am contesting. Give me an opportunity to earn your trust.” – APC candidate,Okelekwe
The YPP Dr Chinedu Umeadi, who said he was still practicing in Canada, kept describing the job of a doctor most of the time in answer to questions thrown to him.
Fact checks by Dr Henry Duru of Department of Mass Communications showed that among other things, Dozie Nwankwo was in the house of reps when the said billions was borrowed for infrastructure in various parts of the country excluding the southeast.
It was indeed a royal rumble of sorts and all who followed the debate till the end enjoyed every bit of it. Kudos to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council led by Dr Emeka Odogwu, RATTAWU, and all the other groups that were part of organizing it. Bravo to Dr Sir Stanley Onunkwo, the chairman of the planning committee.
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