APC denies zoning governorship ticket in Anambra

Bolaji-Abdullahi-640x360 — Bolaji Abdullahi

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday debunked rumours making political rounds in Anambra State that it has zoned its governorship ticket for the election coming up on November 18.

The party made the declaration in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in Abuja.

Abdullahi said the attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has been called to a report that it has zoned the governorship ticket in Anambra to a particular part of the state, dismissing the report as false.

“The party has not taken any such decision. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all the aspirants to compete freely and democratically at the primaries.

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“All aspirants that have been cleared by the party to contest in the primaries should therefore ignore the misleading report,” the statement claimed.

The All Progressives Congress has cleared 12 aspirants seeking to become its candidate for the November governorship election.

The cleared aspirants include a serving senator and former presidential aide, Andy Uba.

The Chairman of the APC screening panel, Agboola Ajayi, last week declared all 12 aspirants eligible to contest the governorship primary.

Mr. Ajayi, the Ondo State deputy governor, while presenting his committee’s report, said all the aspirants did well and are able to lead the party in the state.

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The committee chairman said all the aspirants complied with the guidelines and signed an undertaken, saying they would support whoever from amongst them that emerges as the party’s candidate.

The APC National Organising Secretary, Osita Izunaso, congratulated the aspirants and said an appeal panel may be set up if necessary.

“So far, we have not received any report of violence against all the aspirants. We urge you to carry on. We are very hopeful that one of you will eventually emerge as the next governor of Anambra State,” he said.

The 12 aspirants cleared are: Chukwuma Paul, Madu Nonso, Moghalu George, Nwibe Bart, Nwike Patrick, Nwoye Tony, Obidigbo Chike, Okonwko D, Onunkwo Johnbosco, Uba Andy, Uchegbu Adaobi, and Uzoh Obinna‎.

One of the aspirants, Mr. Uba, while addressing journalists after receiving his clearance certificate promised to support the party notwithstanding whether he wins the party’s ticket or not.

He said the current governor of the state “must pack his bags and go because APC must rule in Anambra.”

Mr. Uba was elected senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but left the party during its leadership crisis.

He vowed not to return to the PDP even if he loses the APC primary.