2007: Udenwa's Approach Faulted
From Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The decision by the Orlu Senatorial zone to ban any its son or daughter from contesting the presidential elections from any of the registered political parties or to support any other candidate, other than the Imo State Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, has been faulted and described as undemocratic.
This was contained in a communiqu� issued by the Orlu zone, supporting the presidential aspiration of Udenwa and read to the public by Chief Arthur Nzeribe.
All sons and daughters of the zone were banned from contesting or supporting any other candidate.
But in a swift reaction, the Coordinator of the Atiku for President Campaign Organi-sation, Chief Elvis Agukwe, declared that Orlu declaration not only unfair but also undemocratic.
In a statement titled "2007 and Udenwa's Presidential Ambition, Matters Arising," he stressed that "if my brother and Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa has developed a presidential dream to be managed by my Senator and Orlu leader, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, then it must be properly done, because I don't want to believe that my people simply want to fly a kite, maybe for a hidden agenda."
Agukwe added that "I do hope that Udenwa is running for the Nigeria's presidency and not 'Igbo Presidency' as they have always said. This is because if my people decide to sanction any Orlu son or daughter coordinating for any aspirants from other zones, does it mean that people from other zones would not coordinate for Udenwa as they may apply sanction on their people too."
Agukwe said unless the Udenwa's aspiration is for Igbo Presidency and not the President of Nigeria, it is faulty for Orlu zone to start threatening to ban other presidential aspirants from the zone or supporting any other aspirants other than Udenwa.
Also, on the plot by the zone to present another governorship candidate for 2007, Agukwe said "it is a joke taken too far as it would amount to taking the Owerri and Okigwe zones of the state for granted."
He asked whether it would be fair and right on the table of equity for another candidate from Orlu to contest for the governorship of the state, after Udenwa might have completed eight years as governor of the state.
Agukwe who said in the statement that he would be leaving for the United States to attend the World Igbo Congress (WIC), stated that an Atiku Campaign for President would be launched for the purpose of internationalising the campaigns.
He said that he would also use the opportunity to present Atiku's aspirati
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