By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka — NATIONAL chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, has said that his decision to join the race for Anambra Central senatorial zone was as a result of pressure from the people of the constituency who, he explained,  desired effective representation in Abuja.

Umeh, who spoke when he was adopted as the candidate of Anambra Central by stakeholders in the zone, said he had been humbled by the level of support from the people in all the seven local government areas that make up the zone as elected councillors from the area  have urged him to vie for the position.

He said:  “People have forced me into this race to run and I have accepted. I will, however, not take their support for granted. I will take the next two weeks to visit them, to tell them in all the local government areas.

“After the visit, I will then prepare for a formal declaration in my local government before we flag off the campaign in Awka which is the headquarters of Anambra Central.”
Umeh expressed optimism that he would win the race, because his people loved him, having done so much to promote their interest.

He said further:   “I was the person who brought out former Governor Peter Obi to the people of Anambra State and stood by him to be governor for eight years. I played a major role to get him elected for the first term, defended him in all the battles he waged.

“We ensured that he was re-elected in 2010 for a second term and he has served the people of Anambra State and by the way God has designed it, we have elected another governor for Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano who is doing exceedingly well and the people are happy.

“So, from what I have seen in Anaocha Local Government Area, the statement has been loudly made that there is no stopping their son from going to the Senate. It is a clarion call for me to go and represent them.”