The League of Anambra Professionals [LAP] has lent its voice to the debate over Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu’s qualification to run for the Anambra South Senatorial position, insisting she was qualified to so contest.
While making it clear that the association is non-partisan and non-political, the group noted that “Bianca Ojukwu, having been married for over two decades to Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba Nnewi, is as much an Nnewi and Anambra State indigene as any other person so qualified for description as such.
“Given that there is no known legal disability ascribable to her, she is undoubtedly qualified to contest for a place as one of Anambra State’s three Senators.
“Indeed, we dare say that any Nigerian from any state who is otherwise qualified and succeeds in getting a political party to sponsor him or her for an elective position in Anambra State is at liberty to run. It is left for the electorate to decide whether to give the mandate or not.”
A press release issued by LAP and signed by its president, Chijioke Okoli, SAN, stated further: “It is noteworthy in the present vein that Bianca Ojukwu is not seeking to represent the Ojukwu family nor Nnewi town for that matter, but the Anambra South senatorial district of which Nnewi North local government constitutes only one of the seven constituent local government areas. Any member of the Ojukwu family registered to vote within the senatorial district who is not impressed by her credentials is at liberty not to vote for her if she is on the ballot, just like any qualified person from the family could contest against her within or outside her political party. That is all they can lawfully and otherwise justifiably do, and no more.
“Finally, whilst our concern remains good governance including high quality political representation for Ndi Anambra, we remain neutral over partisan political contests and ends. Whilst we are not supporting Bianca Ojukwu’s senatorial ambition, just as we do not support her opponents and indeed any other politician’s partisan aspirations, we trenchantly support and would defend her right to contest for political office in Anambra State. Otherwise, others may mistake Ndi Anambra for who they are and strive to remain a go-getting people not detained by xenophobic pettiness but who rather make a fetish of merit and see excellence in all aspects of human endeavours as an article of faith.”
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The debate has been ongoing in the social media whether or not Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu was qualified to represent Anambra South Senatorial District, having originally come from Enugu State. The debate was sparked off following some statements by a few members of the Odumegwu Ojukwu family suggesting that Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu was not qualified to vie for the position of Senator for the Anambra South Senatorial District.
Commenting further on the issue, the League of Anambra Professionals said the attention given to the matter went beyond mere politics but “opened to possible misinterpretation the essence of Ndi Anambra characterized by openness, inclusiveness and reverence for merit and excellence.”
The group disclosed that one of the present Commissioners in Anambra State, Sally Uwechue, was from Delta State and had until her appointment lived virtually all her life in Lagos adding that “Ndi Anambra have never complained knowing that she would add much value to the state government.”
