Ebelechukwu Obiano, wife of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra state, has declared her intention to seek a senatorial seat in the 2023 general election.
She is seeking the Anambra north senatorial seat which is currently held by Stella Oduah, former minister.
Obiano also apologised to Governor Charles Soludo, Ndigbo and friends of Ndigbo over the incident between her and Mrs Bianca Ojukwu in Awka at the inauguration programme of Soludo on March 17, 2022.
Speaking with journalists in Awka, Anambra capital, on Wednesday, the former first lady said her decision to run for the office is because of “pressure from my people”.
Obiano said contesting the office in the general election “is the will of God.”
“My interest to join the senatorial race is in response to an overwhelming pressure and calls from my people to represent them in the senate at the national assembly, Abuja,” she said.
“I have been attested to by the good people of Anambra state, service to people, humanity and sharing love and putting smiles on sad faces are my priorities in life, and I know that it is the will of God because the Bible says that God is love.
“Therefore, having witnessed and been positively touched by my ever willing disposition to care for people, empower the poor and needy, especially women and children, particularly widows, orphans and the destitute, my people decided that I should come and serve them better in a higher capacity.”
Obiano, in a letter addressed to Soludo titled, ‘A public apology,’ Mrs Obiano, had expressed her apology for the altercation between her and Ojukwu.
“Permit me to use this medium to humbly convey to you my sincere, heartfelt and unreserved apology for the unfortunate incident between Mrs Bianca Ojukwu and myself on Thursday, March 17, 2022, the day of your inauguration as the new Executive Governor of Anambra State in which you took over from my husband, His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano.
“The incident, to say the least, was most unnecessary, unfortunate and I regret my action. It was an unintended action as violence is never in my character. Your Excellency, Sir, I hold your person, your ideals, the records of your great accomplishments in public service in Nigeria and beyond, as well as their concomitant colossal impacts in public policies in the highest esteem.
“All those who know me can testify that before and throughout my eight years as the First Lady of State, I pursued peace, promoted philanthropic gestures which empowered many of our less privileged people. No excuse can therefore be tenable as justification for such public embarrassment, no matter the height of provocation. Equally, I wish to extend the same apology to all the important dignitaries, the people of Anambra State, as well as the entire Ndigbo for that unintended embarrassment at the occasion.”
