Anambra 2021: Nwankpo’s Alliances Alter Political Permutations
Ahead of the Anambra Gubernatorial polls slated for November 6, 2021, the political space in the state is receiving quakes from various quarters as High Chief Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo continues to seal alliances with political, opinion, religious and community leaders across the state in a bid to sell his ambition.
Reliable and independent sources said he is recording unprecedented milestones at this largely due to his unblemished political profile, extensive grassroots support, philanthropy and networking ability, leading to a somewhat unsettling ambience amongst contenders across party lines.
According to one of the sources, “Nwankpo is one of the few politicians without any political baggage. This is the reality that sets him apart from the rest. The gentleman is renowned for executing all his briefs without blemishes. He worked meritoriously with former Presidents Yar’Adua and Jonathan, and initiated or supervised so many life-changing programmes and policies without anybody associating his name with anything untoward. I guess that is why his presence is unsettling fellow contenders, not just in APGA, but in PDP, APC, YPP, and others. He has told his followers that he intends to build an Anambra State that will leave every Anambra man proud and people believe he has the capacity, having done it at various levels aside being one of the most accessible politicians that we have in the state; always willing to open his doors to people and ideas”.
With an impressive service delivery record in both private and public sectors, Akachukwu Nwankpo’s team has also initiated an all encompassing media and publicity team, headed by the veteran Media Public Relations Executive, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, who has been tasked to coalesce about 38 media support organisations that have expressed willingness to work for the actualisation of Nwankpo’s ambition across media platforms such as print, online, TV and radio.
Chuma in a telephone interview confirmed the development, stating that he was not alone but supported by numerous groups, which have equally seen the virtues of having a man like Nwankpo in the Government House.
“It is like a consensus in the media space at the moment that the man, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, lives by his title, Oputa Ifeadi, (meaning wherever he goes, comes light). His soaring profile is bringing a lot of goodwill across party divides and that is good for APGA, our party”.
“Our slogan is Anambra Family First, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo is the beacon of hope, the future of Anambra youths, children, women and men. His vision is to strengthen every Anambra family to meet its own needs. It is Anambra Families First! The welfare and well being of ndi Anambra First! I’m delighted to be part of this Anambra family’s project” Chuma concluded.
Born in April 1962, a native of Umuapani Ubahu Okija in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State to the Catholic family of Lady Elizabeth and Late Chief Emmanuel Nwankpo. Nze Nwankpo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy from the prestigious Bigard Memorial Seminary, Ikot-Ekpene. Also, he is a graduate of Public Administration and Law. He obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree from Baze University Abuja. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Professional Certificate in Cross Sector Partnership at Cambridge University, United Kingdom. His political career began in 1992 as a Personal Assistant to the Honourable Commissioner of Education Anambra State, Mrs. V.V.I Okoye. Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo had worked in private sector at various levels for years. He rendered extensive consultancy services to international oil and gas companies, oil producing communities, governments, and multilateral organizations operating in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
He would however, be headhunted for an appointment in the Presidency of the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2007, when he became the Special Adviser to the President on Technical Matters; and in 2011, he was appointed Member/Secretary to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P) Committee, a Presidential Committee with the directive to invest money saved from partial removal of the petroleum subsidy in infrastructure and social safety net projects.
Between 2010 and 2011, he also served as the Senior Special Assistant (Special Projects) to the President in addition to being Secretary to the Presidential Action Committee on Power.
Nwankpo’s humanitarian works in various communities and churches in Anambra State have spawned various titles and honours, making him one of the most decorated politicians in this respect.
