…Chukwuma quits APC, Okonkwo withdraws from party’s guber primary
• Cites ethical, security concerns as reason
By Chinelo Obogo (Lagos), Romanus Ugwu (Abuja) and Aloysius Attah (Onitsha)
Ahead of the November 8 Anambra State governorship election, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has emerged the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with Dr George Moghalu clinching the Labour Party ticket, while Sir Paul Chukwuma resigned from the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Prof Obiora Okonkwo withdrew from the APC race.
Prof Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, emerged the candidate of APGA at the governorship primary election held yesterday at the Alex Ekwueme Square, in Awka, where he stood as a lone contestant.
Announcing the results, the returning officer for the election, Hon. Uche Nwegbo said: “Total delegates for this election is 3,260, 3,175 is accredited delegates, 3,172 is the total votes, while
04 votes were invalid.
“The total yes-votes garnered by the governor is 3,168, while there were no, no-votes. So, in line with the INEC guidelines and with the powers conferred on me as the chief returning officer for this election, I, Uche Nwegbo hereby declare the governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as returned, as the candidate of our party.”
The governor in his speech accepted the nomination, while also assuring that he will continue to work hard to ensure that he does not fail members of the party or the people of Anambra State.
He said: “We as a party have grown from strength to strength. We are the first registered progressive party in Nigeria and our people have taken APGA as their own. Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra.
“I want to say that I am humbled by this historic display of solidarity to be the flag of our party again, and I want to say that I accept this nomination whole-heartedly.
“Anambra keeps rising with the progressive leadership that we have had through APGA, and I will continue to appreciate the leadership of the party.
“I appreciate the members of our party and the INEC observers. I do not think that we have ever had this kind of peaceful election where everything was orderly and in one hour everyone was able to cast their votes.
“In 2021, Anambra interviewed all the candidates and employed me, and all through the journey, three years down the line, you have been able to give us support. That is why we have been able to do what we do, which people say is magical. We are doing this without borrowing one Naira and I know we will continue to do even more and we will continue to ask for your prayers.
“We are only at the introductory stage, Anambra has not seen anything yet. I appreciate citizens, captains of industry who have been supporting us and we will keep growing higher and higher.
“I appreciate the support groups, especially all that endorsed us for a second term. They are still coming up with more donations to the campaigns, and I thank those market women who are still eager to donate to our campaign. Many political parties have declared support for us and never in Anambra State have we ever had a consensus like what we have today.
“When I took oath of office, I promised not to let Anambra down, not to let my supporters down, not to let my family down, and not to let APGA down. We are working 24\7 to ensure that. Many people have said we do not have any opposition, but I say that we will not only win all the 21 local governments, but the 326 wards. Someone said we should even aim for all the polling units in the state. We want to make a statement.”
The governor also announced his running mate immediately, choosing his deputy for the race.
He said: “In 2017, I gave a lecture, which I titled ‘If it is not broken, why mend it’, and it became popular. Today I want to say that, I am re-nominating Dr Onyeka Ibezim as my deputy governorship candidate for the election. If it is not broken, why mend it. I want to say that the battle has only began.”
Also yesterday, Dr George Moghalu, emerged the candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the November Anambra State governorship election, defeating his only rival, John Chuma Nwosu.
The LP candidate, polled a total of 573 delegate votes to defeat Mr Nwosu, who got 19 votes in the hitch-free governorship primary election conducted in Awka, the state capital amid tight security.
On announcing him the winner, the over 1000 capacity hall went up in jubilation, singing and dancing by the delegates and other party’s stakeholders to celebrate his emergence.
In his remarks during the free, fair, transparent primary, Moghalu, former managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), admitted that though contesting against the incumbent, Prof Soludo, will not be a tea party, defeating him is, however, doable.
The former National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) assured the delegates and the people of Anambra State that he will not betray the confidence they bestowed in him.
Describing himself as the best man for the job, he promised to restore the confidence the people of the state have lost in the present government.
According to him, “the election we are going into on November 8, in the football palance is the Premier League which requires our first team. I appeal to the delegates for this primary to have the analogy in your mind before taking that decision today.
“You have to choose a candidate that you are going to use for the main election. Running an election against an incumbent is not a tea party, but it is doable and for us to do it, we must put the first foot forward. This is what I am pleading with you to put your confidence in me and I will not betray your confidence if you check my track records.”
Also yesterday, another prominent aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primary election in Anambra State, Prof Obiora Okonkwo, announced his withdrawal from the race, citing ethical concerns and potential risks to his supporters.
In a letter addressed to his supporters, Okonkwo described his decision as “difficult but necessary,” saying that recent developments in the party’s primary process conflicted with his “principles and values.”
He further expressed concerns over the safety of his supporters, stating that the project is not worth risking their lives.
He said: “After a careful evaluation, and reflection, on the current state of the All Progressives Congress primary election process in Anambra State, I have decided to withdraw my aspiration for the party’s governorship ticket. This decision to withdraw from the race was a difficult, but necessary one because of some developments that are inconsistent with my principles and values. The project is not worth risking the lives of my supporters, among others.”
Okonkwo then pledged to continue fighting for the development of Anambra State and Nigeria while supporting President Bola Tinubu’s agenda.
He extended gratitude to his political associates, APC stakeholders, and supporters for their trust, calling their solidarity “a source of strength.”
He said: “My passion for public service remains strong, and I will continue contributing to the socio-economic and political development of Anambra State and our country, Nigeria. I will also continue to help in ways I can towards the realisation of President Bola Tinubu’s development programmes and the economic growth of our country, for the good of our countrymen and women.
“I appreciate the trust and support my political associates, supporters and stakeholders in the APC and other places have shown me. Your support has meant a lot, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have connected with so many committed and passionate Anambrarians. Above all else, may Anambra succeed for its future generations.”