By Okey Maduforo / AwkaThe confusion surrounding preparations by political parties for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State is yet to clear just as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to publish the list of candidates today.
Three people are laying claim to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for the poll, while two members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) are equally claiming to be candidates of the party.
The trio of Senator Andy Uba, Nicholas Ukachukwu and Tony Nwoye are parading themselves as PDP candidates but the national leadership of the party endorsed on Nwoye.
Chike Obidigbo and Willie Obiano are also neck deep in the trenches over the APGA’s ticket.
Though none of the PDP candidates offered to talk on the matter, most of their lieutenants have expressed optimism that their candidates’ names would be published by the electoral commission.
But the battle for the APGA ticket may be shifted to the National Judicial Council (NJC).
According to one of the contending candidates, Obidigbo, the manner in which an earlier court order in his favour was vacated less than 48 hours due to pressure from the Obiano’s camp “smacks of judicial rascality.”
“We have instructed our lawyers to review the development with a view to bringing it to the attention of the National Judicial Council (NJC),” Obidigbo said, regretting that “Mr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) ought to know when to excuse himself rather than sit in judgment against us (APGA).”
“It does not require rocket science to note that attempts by political brokers and godfathers to short circuit laid down procedures for election lead to electoral crimes.
“We are alarmed that impunity is still a major challenge to the deepening of our democracy.
“But we were surprised to hear that barely 48 hours after the honourable court granted the order, enormous pressures were exerted on the judge such that he decided to vacate the order ostensibly to please those who wanted to thwart the submission of my name to INEC.
“However it is gladdening to report that before the said order was vacated, it had been given effect at the INEC headquarters, Abuja,” Obidigbo added.
The APGA crisis has also led to fresh face-off between the traditional rulers of Anambra North Senatorial District and Governor Peter Obi whom they accused of deceiving them into screening the aspirants and picking a candidate only for the Governor to settle for Obiano.
The alleged face-off between the monarchs and the Governor may not be unconnected with the resignation of Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, as chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council.
Achebe had resigned giving reasons that have nothing to do with the Anambra North governorship agenda, but two of his colleagues who pleaded anonymity told Daily Independent that “the Governor told us to screen the aspirants of Anambra North since he has decided to support our senatorial zone. We did all that and took the pains to do this.
“At the end Dr. Chike Obidigbo emerged the best option and we told the Governor to publish our result but the Governor said it wasn’t necessary.
“But we were surprised that one Willie Obiano came into the picture. Even one of the aspirants, Prince Chinedu Idigo, who the Governor had assured was screened out, and when he approached the Governor he told him (Idigo) to find a way of passing the screening.
“So the traditional rulers see it was an insult and a slap on their integrity and royalty as the mouth piece of the people,” the source said.
As for the All Progressive Congress (APC) the national leaders of the party led by its Interim National Chairman, Bisi Akande, and National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, among others, are expected in Awka today to inaugurate Anambra 2013 national election campaign committee.
The party was last week struck by the resignation of Annie Okonkwo who was to lead the campaign of Chris Ngige, the party’s candidate.
Okonkwo in his letter of resignation said he declined the appointment “and also disassociate myself from the candidature of our flag bearer, Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige.”
“My decision was borne out of inability of not keeping to agreement and flagrant distrust and abuses by our flag bearer who of course showed no appreciation of the supreme sacrifice of stepping down for him.”
But reacting to this development, the Ngige campaign organisation in a letter signed by Okelo Madukaife contended that Okonkwo was appointed a chairman of the campaign within the national committee and did not accept the offer.
“He did not resign because he neither accepted the offer nor resumed in a committee that will be inaugurated on Tuesday September 24, 2013.” Madukaife said.
He added: “While we acknowledge that it is within Chief Okonkwo’s right to decline the offer of membership or chairmanship of any committee or organisation, ours inclusive, it is of great importance to emphasisze that in exercising such rights, the rights and integrity of another is not impugned.
“For the avoidance of doubt, His Excellency, Senator Chris Ngige, is not in breach of any agreement with anyone, including Chief Annie Okonkwo in the course of his gubernatorial journey.
“This fact that can be attested to by the leadership of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).”
Post a Comment