Egwuonwu, an industrialist, joins race to replace late Sen. Ubah in Senate

Chief Akai Egwuonwu, an industrialist in Anambra, has declared his intention to contest the Anambra South Senatorial District rerun election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Egwuonwu made the declaration in his country home, Amichi, in the Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra on Sunday.

The byelection is to fill the seat of the Anambra South Senatorial District, which became vacant following the death of Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah in July.

Addressing members of APGA and political stakeholders in the zone at the event, Egwuonwu called on them to endorse and support his aspiration as he was the best candidate to represent the people of Anambra South.

He said he was making himself available to continue the responsible and responsive representation of Ubah, especially in the area of insecurity, adding that he alone had the capacity to leverage the infrastructure in place.

Egwuonwu, who is a life patron of APGA, said equity and fairness favoured Nnewi South Local Government Area to retain the Senate seat as other political blocs within the district already had political positions.

Egwuonwu, who is the Managing Director of Stine Mill Industry, producers of Anambra Rice, said he had three key areas to address if nominated and elected into the Senate.

“I will tackle the problem of insecurity, which is a peculiar challenge to us in the South. I will provide support to small and medium enterprises with grants and initiate legislation that will protect the interests of our people.

“Helping medium- and small-scale businesses with cheap funding options will be a priority for me when I am elected as Anambra South senator,” he said.

Some APGA stalwarts and political bigwigs at the event included Chief Maja Umeh, a Board of Trustees member; Mr. Egwuoyibo Okoye; and Mr. Kingsley Iruba, both party chieftains and former lawmakers, among others.