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  • Soludo wins Anambra APGA governorship primary election

    Soludo wins Anambra APGA governorship primary election

    Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Wednesday emerged the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Nov. 6 governorship election in Anambra.

    Soludo scored a total of 740 votes out of 792 valid votes cast by delegates.

    Declaring the results of the exercise, Samson Olalere, the Returning Officer said Soludo fulfilled the provisions of Electoral Act and APGA guidelines.

    Olalere said Soludo beat his rivals, Rep Okwudili Ezenwakwo, Damian Okolo and Thankgod Ibeh who scored 41, 7 and 4 votes respectively.

    He said a total of 812 delegates were registered out of which 795 accredited and 792 voted.

    The returning officer issued the APGA candidate Certificate of Return after Gov. Willie Obiano, raised up Soludo’s hand as the duly elected candidate of the party in the forthcoming election.

    In his remark, Obiano congratulated Soludo for his victory while calling on party faithful to continue to support the party.

    In his acceptance speech, Soludo said he was humbled by the overwhelming votes with which he emerged.

    He thanked his co-contestants for their gallantry while extending an olive branch to them, adding that APGA is a big house with enough rooms to accommodate everyone.

    He promised to build on the success of past administrations in the state if he eventually becomes the elected governor in November.

    Soludo thanked Obiano for his leadership style and Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA under whom the party had grown to be the third strongest party in Nigeria.

    In a reaction, Chief Neville Uchendu, a chieftain of APGA told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the outcome of APGA primary was a tip of the iceberg on what would happen during Nov.6 election.

    “Soludo is greatly loved by Anambra people and they will massively vote for him during the election,” he said.

    NAN reports that delegates for the election had assembled at the popular Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, for accreditation before proceeding to Prof. Dora Akunyuli Women Development Centre.

    NAN also reports that heavy security presence was noticed at two locations in Awka even as journalists were refused entry into the two places.

  • Anambra guber: Crisis in APGA, PDP will give us victory – APC

    Anambra guber: Crisis in APGA, PDP will give us victory – APC

    A leading pressure group, APC Patriots, Anambra has charged aspirants of the All Progressives Congress to close ranks in order for the party to win the November 6, 2021 gubernatorial election.

    Speaking against the backdrop of intense crisis currently rocking the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and the People’s Democratic Party, PDD, the APC Patriots said that the discordant tunes emerging from both parties leaves the state open for APC to take.

    “Given the procedural imperfections that attended APGA’s screening process, leading to the unfazed disqualification of otherwise qualified aspirants, and the musical chairs trailing the party’s national chairmanship, APGA’s participation in this year’s Anambra governorship election remains a matter of conjecture.

    “In fact, the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to decline the party’s list of delegates is a major development which we have since taken judicial notice of,” the group said.

    “For the PDP, the multiplicity of court injunctions and rulings emerging from the camps of disparate godfathers, and unending disputations over which delegates’ list to work with, has cast the party in legal entanglement that can only be resolved way after the November 6 election.

    “We, therefore, commend our party’s aspirants for engaging in electioneering devoid of calumny and underhand tactics, and urge them to sustain such exemplary conduct.”

    The APC Patriots, Anambra which steering committee consists of the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2017 gubernatorial election in Anambra state, Dozie Ikedife, as Coordinator, and parades three former House of Representatives members, Honourables Emeke Nwogbo, Chizor Obidigwe and Afam Ogene; former National Assembly aspirants in 2019, Mike Mbanefo, Ike Chidolue and Chidi Ogbaji; the party’s zonal youth leader, Olisaemeka Onyeka, and Barrister Chuks Chinwuba, a renowned political strategist, has been in the forefront of ensuring victory for the APC in this year’s Anambra gubernatorial election.

    Part of it’s strategies included the April 27, 2021 Interactive Session which it convoked at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The event was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, all the aspirants, ministers, and leading political figures from the South east, including former Senate President, Ken Nnamani.

    At that epochal event, the aspirants had pledged to go about seeking the party’s ticket in an atmosphere of camaraderie – a pledge, which the APC Patriots noted they have sustained till date.

  • Anambra 2021 APGA Disqualification: Nwankpo, Okafor go on appeal

    Anambra 2021 APGA Disqualification: Nwankpo, Okafor go on appeal

    Two of the frontline governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Nze Akachukwu Sullivan Nwankpo, and Nonso Smart Okafor who were recently disqualified alongside three others by the party’s adhoc Governorship screening panel have individually appealed against the verdict.

    Nwankpo’s appeal documents, according to his media spokesman Chuma Harris was filed before the party on Monday, June 14,2021.

    Nwankpo had in his accompanying letter to the party leadership said that the reversal of his disqualification would ensure justice and fair play to all.

    He said that the move would also be in line with the philosophy of the party, which is anchored on equity and fairness.

    He noted that reasons given for his disqualification was debatable, pointing out therefore that, “…I have fulfilled all the requirements, both membership, good percentage of nominators, including financial obligations.” he said.

    Nwankpo, an envoy of former President Goodluck Jonathan, added that it was absurd how such decision was taken against him. He said that he had spent his time and resources working for a strong and virile APGA in the state and has carried the ‘cross’ of the party in Anambra.

    “I am in dismay as to the reason for my non-clearance having satisfied all statutory requirements of our party constitution, Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    He requested the APGA national chairman to reverse the injustice.

    But in reaction to the news of their disqualification by the party’s screening panel a member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chuma Umeoji and Nonso Smart Okafor of the Anambra state Assembly called for calm especially within their campaign structures.

    Umeoji didn’t mince words that he would appeal the screening panel’s decision, while Smart Okafor quickly took stock of the situation and has reportedly filed his appeal.

    This is coming barely a week to the party’s scheduled date for its governorship primaries on June 23, 2021 in Awka.

    Nwankpo, Umeoji and Okafor were among the five governorship aspirants disqualified by the screening committee for sundry reasons. Others include Mr Cater Dike Umeoduagu and Ozoka Ifeanyi Odera.

    So far, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo and Okwudili Ezenwankwo, Damian Okolo and ThankGod Ibeh were cleared by the Committee and have been covering more grounds sensitizing the party delegates to vote them at the coming primary.

    While Nwankpo was disqualified for being less than eighteen months oldas a member of the party, hence was required to have applied and secured a waiver from the National Working Committee of the party.

    He was also accused of being nominated by less than the 2/3 spread of members of the party in the 21 Councils of the state.

    Umeoji, a two time member of the National Assembly and former chair of Aguata Council area of the state was disqualified for “defiance and insubordination to the party authority and supremacy, which cast a dark shadow of doubt on the genuineness and credibility of his APGA membership”

    He was consequently “considered as an unsuitable APGA member to participate in the governorship primary election at the moment.” The screening committee also expressed “doubtful financial status of his nominators as APGA members”.

    They also declared as invalid, his certificate of declaration of age.

    Umeoji was equally found guilty of “gross alterations and mutilation of his Nomination form which contains an affidavit under oath, contrary to Sec 117(2) of the Evidence Act.

  • APGA NEC sacks two factional chairmen, six others

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has sacked the two factional chairmen of the party and appointed a new acting national chairman, Chief Jude Okeke.

    Briefing journalists after rising from its 114th NEC meeting in the Abuja on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kabiru Yusuf, said six other members of the party were also sacked including Chinedu Obidigwe, Barr. Hamman Buba Ghide, Barr. Sylvester Ezeokenwa, Adamu Danjuma Musa, Chief Uchenna Okogbuo and Barr. Ifeanyi Mbaeri, who are suspended indefinitely from the party for anti-party activities, gross misconduct and conduct capable of bringing the party’s image to disrepute among others.

    Furthermore, the party NEC also resolved to nullify the disqualification of five aspirants for the governorship election in Anambra State, who were disqualified by the Victor Oye-led faction declaring that no person had been dsqualified and that any purported disqualification was done without the authority of the party.

    The disqualified aspirants include Nze Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo, Hon. Okafor Nonso Smart, Hon Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi and Umeoduagu Nnamdi Dike .

    The party also extended the sale of its governorship forms to June 25, 2021, rescheduled the primary election for July 1, 2021 while cancelling the earlier fixed dates of June 23 and June 25, while warning aspirants who had picked the forms to keep away from those dates.

    The party also resolved to apologize to its members in Imo State who were defrauded by the party and denied opportunity to participate in the primary election of the party.

    In his acceptance speech, Chief Jude Okeke, who was sworn in at the event said: “it seemed over the years APGA was comfortable with having Anambra as our only State but that the fortunes of the party would grow under my leadership.”

    It would be recalled that APGA had been enmeshed in leadership tussle months ago ahead of the Anambra governorship election.

  • Anambra: APGA aspirant suspends campaign over 2 members’ deaths

    Anambra: APGA aspirant suspends campaign over 2 members’ deaths

    The Rep. Chukwuma Umeoji All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Governorship Campaign Organisation on Sunday suspended for one-week its activities to mourn its two members.

    Umeoji is the current lawmaker representing Aguata Federal Constituency and a governorship aspirant on the platform of APGA for the upcoming governorship election in Anambra.

    The organisation said the suspension was in respect of two members who lost their lives on Lokoja – Abuja expressway on May 26.

    The deceased, Chief Udemezue Onunkwo and Mr Peter Ezenwankwo, were part of the contingent that joined Umeoji to purchase his expression of interest and nomination forms in Abuja before they met their sudden deaths.

    Chief Gregory Anigbogu, Chief of Staff to Umeoji, who spoke to NAN on Sunday, described the deceased as crucial members of the campaign team and strong supporters of the aspirant.

    Anigbogu, a director in the organisation, said the one week mourning was to honour their memories and pray for the eternal repose of their souls, adding that they would be sorely missed.

    “They were important to us, we will miss them but life goes on.

    “All activities in relation to our visit to the APGA National Secretariat, Abuja, shall be suspended; all campaign activities, both on and of the media, are suspended.

    “We declare one week mourning with prayers for our fallen comrades who lost their lives for the greater good of Anambra,” he said.

    Chief Rommy Okoli, who is also contesting for APGA ticket has expressed deep condolences with Umeoji and the families of the deceased over the death of their supporter and patriarchs.

    Okoli popularly known as ‘The Messenger’ described the unfortunate deaths as big blow not only to Umeoji but to the entire APGA family, noting that they were outstanding parry faithful.

    “Their deaths are not only unfortunate but also shocking.

    “We pray for the repose of the souls of the two APGA stalwarts and beg God to grant Umeoji, entire APGA members and their respective families the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss,” he said.

  • 37 APC, PDP, APGA aspirants jostle to replace Gov Obiano in Anambra

    37 APC, PDP, APGA aspirants jostle to replace Gov Obiano in Anambra

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

    As the June for all the party primaries for the coming November 6,2021 Anambra Governorship election kicks off, and with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Labour Party(LP)/and others parading more than thirty-seven(37)very qualified, able and capable aspirants, a top favorite, Dr George Nnadubem Moghalu has described the array of aspirants as cheering bundle of talents.

    Moghalu who is running on the platform of the APC saw “this large turnout of very credible and qualified aspirants justling to lead the state as a clear indication that democracy is working on our state. It goes also to show that Anambra has an abundance of human capital that can be leveraged upon to build a stable economy.

    ” I have to appreciate that the quality of aspirants we have today is quite commendable, which goes to show that democracy is strong and active in Anambra state. But integrity, character, courage, consistency and experience must be deeply considered before the choice of who will be the next governor is made. It’s very important… “,he emphasized.

    According to him,” the large number of aspirants actually makes the contest very keen and interesting. Because it gives one opportunity and reason to work very hard.

    “But we must all bear in mind that it’s not a war. After all we are all sons and daughters of the state seeking to serve our people, the electorate.

    ” Yes one can be qualified because of his education, age, and some money to throw around. But when you don’t have the experience, you don’t have it! It is finished.

    “And Anambra state at this critical stage in our history cannot afford to gamble with someone who is going to learn on the job. So we must avoid such risk”.

    Moghalu who is described as cultured and very disciplined with vast political and administrative experience, is also the incumbent Chief Executive of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)admitted that he has come a long way with the people, hence would like to reciprocate their love and support with service founded on indelible legacy.

    So far, there are about 9 APC aspirants, PDP 16, APGA 7, LP 2, SDP 2 and YPP 1 amongst others.

  • Anambra 2021: Obiano has right to promote a successor, APGA aspirant, Nwankpo admits

    Anambra 2021: Obiano has right to promote a successor, APGA aspirant, Nwankpo admits

    …says party cannot print only one Nomination form
    …insists he’s not going to borrow any loan when becomes the governor

    From Chuks Collins, Awka

    A key frontline aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the fast approaching Nov 6,2021 Governorship election in Anambra state, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo has shocked many including his party members when he acknowledged before journalists that Gov Willie Obiano has all the rights to support and promote any of the aspirants who he wishes as successor.

    Nwankpo who stated this during a media interaction with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists at his Agu-Awka Campaign Headquarters.

    According to him, “…Gov Obiano has all the rights to promote a successor. So there’s nothing wrong in him trying to promote the cause of Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who is one of the aspirants. That is in order.

    He also admitted being “aware of some unconfirmed reports making the rounds that there was a commitment in that regards between the two long before now. And if I was in any of their shoes I would as a man of principle and honour done what they are doing.

    “But the matter is not entirely about the two. It’s about the party and it’s future, the APGA members, as well as the established electoral laws/guidelines that made provision for an open transparent party primary to elect the party’s flag bearer. Am in the race because, with due respect the issue is not entirely in the governor’s control.

    “Even his name, ‘Maduaburochukwu’, Nwankpo went on, says it all. It means that there was a deep history behind Gov Obiano’s birth which made his parents gave a name that reminds mankind that ‘no one is God’.
    As a man of honour and distinction, I sincerely urge our people not to push him into going out of his way to play God. Because am sure that he does not in any way confuse himself with God.

    “At the last count we have more than five other aspirants and I know that if the report making the round was anything to go bye, then no one would bother to waste his resources coming out at all. And that would have been the easiest and fastest way to destroy our party. I know no one would like to do that at all. We are anxiously awaiting an open, acceptable and transparent party primary. After all, our party is going to start sale of Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms soon. They did not print only one form. We are really in a democracy and our governor is a product of democracy.”

    While fielding questions from the journalists, Nwankpo disclosed that as governor he was not going to borrow any foreign loan, “because history shows that such loans has never helped any developing economy. It’s on record that the United States of America became rich through internal savings, and China also never borrowed money from any foreign nation. I will create windows to raise money internally. No borrowing!”, he stated.

     

  • Two serving federal lawmakers dump political parties for APC

    Two serving federal lawmakers dump political parties for APC

    Two lawmakers at the House of Representatives, Rep. Blessing Onuh (APGA-Benue) and Rep. Yakubu Abdullahi (PRP-Bauchi) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Announcing her defection on Tuesday at the floor of the House, Onuh said she left APGA due to leadership crisis in the state chapter of the party.

    She said that she consulted widely before taking the decision to leave the party.

    Also speaking, Abdullahi said he defected from PRP due to division, internal wrangling and infighting resulting in factionalisation of the party.

    The main opposition party at the House, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not raise objection on the defection.

  • Another serving federal lawmaker, Prestige Ossy is dead

    Another serving federal lawmaker, Prestige Ossy is dead

    The family of Rep. Prestige Ossy (APGA), who represented Aba North and South Federal Constituency, has officially announced the death of the lawmaker.

    A statement issued on Tuesday in Aba by the deceased’s younger brother, Chukwu, and the Director-General of his Constituency Office, George Okiyi, stated that the lawmaker died on Saturday in Germany.

    The statement read in part: “As it pleased the Lord and in total submission to His will, but with heavy hearts, we announce the passing on of Prestige.

    “His transition to higher glory occurred in the wee hours of February 6 in Germany, where he has been receiving treatment for the past few months.

    “On his sickbed and up until his last days, his uncommon love for his uncommon people of Aba and Abia found expression in words.
    “He fought gallantly to live for his people but God decided to take him into rest in his bosom. Who are we to question God?”
    The family therefore promised to carry everyone along in the plan to give him “a hero’s farewell that he eminently deserves”.
    Reacting to the death, the state Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, described Ossy’s death as a big loss to Abia people and humanity in general.
    Ehiemere said the news of his death came to the party as a big shock.

    “It is painful and very regrettable for us to lose such a man. It’s really painful.

    “The party is in a very mournful mood. We regret that Ossy died at the peak of his career in life. “We console the family, APGA family and entire Nigeria,” he said.

    Ehiemere described Ossy as a human capital developer, a technocrat and businessman, who ventured into politics.
    He said that Ossy empowered people, fixed the roads and touched the lives of widows and orphans.

    The deceased was born on January 24, 1964 in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area (LGA) of Abia but later adopted by an Abiriba man.

    He lived in Abariba in Ohafia LGA and took active part in their age-grade activities.

    He won the House of Representatives election in 2015 on the platform of APGA and got re-elected in 2019.

    Also, the Paramount Ruler (Enochioken) of Abariba Kingdom, Eze Kalu Ogbu, described Ossy’s death as “sad news” to the people of the clan.

    “He was a good man and chief of high repute. He touched the lives of many people positively.

    “Abiriba Enachioken has lost an illustrious son and an astute community developer.

    “His death is a reminder that death is inevitable,” Ogbu said in an interview.

  • APGA wins Reps by-election in Niger

    APGA wins Reps by-election in Niger

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Shehu Sale, candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), winner of Magama/Rijau Federal Constituency of Niger in Saturday’s by-election.

    The INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Tanko Baba of the Usman Danfodio University Sokoto, said Sale scored 22,965 votes to defeat Alamu Emmanuel of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who came second with 22,507 votes.

    Baba said Yusuf Nasir, the candidate of the ADC, polled 336 votes.

    He explained that the total number of registered voters was 159,347, while the number of accredited voters was 46,734, with 45,808 valid votes, total votes cast 46,499 and rejected votes 691.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Samuel Egwu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Niger on Sunday, commended the electorate in the constituency for their peaceful conduct during and after the election.

    Egwu also lauded efforts of the police for providing a peaceful political atmosphere before and during the electoral process in the area.