The Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot Community, in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, Chinedu Anyaso, has vowed to use legislative means in the National Assembly to ensure Nnewi is granted a special status, if elected to represent the Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Anyaso, who is eyeing the House of Reps seat under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, also promised to provide effective representation for the people of the area if he gets the party’s ticket to contest the election.
He made this known while speaking to journalists at the Ekwusigo Local Government Area headquarters in Ozubulu over the weekend, adding that Nnewi should be granted a special status as it is the industrial city of Anambra, the South-East and Nigeria, having vast presence of manufacturing companies and industries.
According to him, over the years, there have been “unfruitful” agitations for special status for the city, being one of the Nigeria’s economic nerve centre, noting that doing so would revive its economic fortunes, prospects and potential as well as create more opportunities for the teeming youths.
He explained that his ambition was informed primarily by the poor representation the Constituency has had over the years in spite of the increasing development and existential challenges of the people.
He also added that the constituency deserves strong and effective representation in the National Assembly in order to attract the needed federal attention to the ecological and infrastructure challenges that fall within its remit.
He said, “I will partner with the state government under the able leadership of the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and my other nationwide connections as IPMAN chairman to achieve it.
“Nnewi deserves a special status being one among Nigeria”s industrial cities with many manufacturing companies and a huge population.
“Resources in the city can no longer cater to its huge population from different tribes, regions and the pressure on social amenities. Nnewi has been so critical to the economic development of the South-East and Nigeria and therefore, it deserves a special attention to maintain it status quo.”
The IPMAN chairman hailed Soludo for the transformative leadership across the state and the constituency in particular, but noted that the tasks were enormous for the state alone.
Anyaso urged APGA leaders in the constituency to support his aspiration and trust him with the ticket, adding that he had the capacity to achieve victory for the party in the 2027 general elections.
