Joy as Obiano mounts governorship saddle, calls on Ngige, Nwoye to join hands to move Anambra

The over 35,000 people in Alex Ekwueme Square, venue of the inauguration of Chief Willie Obiano as new governor of Anambra State Monday erupted in tumultuous joy after the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi swore him in. The crowd which is over twice the carrying capacity of the square were there to witness the change of baton from Chief Peter Obi to Obiano to herald a new administration for the state. Speaking at the event, the chairman of the inauguration planning committee, Mr Chinedu Idigo apologized for every inconveniences that everyone may be undergoing because of the large turnout, saying that the square had never been that crowded, and that more people attended than they anticipated. Idigo said it is the first time in the state that an out-going governor will be handing over to an in-coming one. He said that he is happy that such a feat was happening under the leadership of APGA. Speaking also, Chief Obi corroborated Idigo, saying that, “Jim was not there to hand over to Onoh in the old Anambra State. In the new Anambra State, Ezeife handed over to nobody, Mbadinuju did not hand over to Ngige and of course Ngige was not there to hand over to me. “I had nowhere to go to after my swearing in, I had no official car to drive, so I went with my 504 to my village. Today as we hand over to Obiano, he will have brand new bullet proof jeep to go back with, and he is going straight to the governor’s lodge. “He had told me to keep staying at the governor’s lodge for six weeks so I will have time to move away, but I told him I have no business there any longer and that I have already moved out, so he can go straight there from here.” Obi reiterated that he has no hidden pact with the new governor, that his only pact with him is that he should ensure he works for Anambra people. He said he is today leaving behind financially sound state that is second to none in the entire country. An elated Chief Obiano who blew his wife and children several kisses on the podium immediately after his swearing in said he is ready for the work ahead. He assured Anambra people that he will not fail in his promises and promised to take the state to greater heights. “I assure you that you made a wise decision by heeding the pleas of our late leader, Ojukwu to vote me and Nkem Okeke. 10 years ago, Anambra was appalling, it was so much that the late writer, Achebe described those causing it as a small group of renegades. To God be the glory, today the table has turned against them. “Eight years under APGA, the story has changed. Time has come for us to show that our entrepreneurial spirit can take root here. We thank Obi for an excellent work, the good news here is that there is hope. We urge Ngige, Tony Nwoye, Ifeanyi Ubah and other people who contested the governorship with us to come and join hands with us. “We must not let the benefits that divide us to deny our people of political benefits. I urge you all to join hands with us to move our state forward.” Obiano called. Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that Governor Peter Obi will remain his honourary special adviser on Finance until plans are concluded to bring him fully into his cabinet. Senator Ndi Obi, Special adviser to the president on Inter party matters who represented the president thanked the people of the state fo0r the love they have shown to both the out-going governor and the incoming governor, saying that he prays that love will continue to lead the state. The event was attended by several sons and daughter of Anambra State from all walks of life including the Diaspora. Chief Theodore Orji of Abia State was also at the ceremony to witness the swearing in.