Sequel to the agitations by some councillorship and chairmanship aspirants who insist that they are authentic candidates that emerged during the primaries, All Progressives Grand Alliance, yesterday resolved to engage in protest votes against the party and in support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) in January 11 local poll.
They alleged that their names were unjustifiably replaced by other names.
This development came as a result of a resolution by the affected aspirants who felt that the National leadership of APGA has been unfair to them alleging lack of internal democracy in the party.
According to one of the coordinators Mr. Evans Muolokwu “We expected that the meeting by Stake Holders of the party last weekend would have resolved the matter. But they merely told us to forget about the past and support those interlopers whose names were submitted by the party to ANSIEC. Most of us have been in this race since 2002 and we have contributed greatly to the success of APGA”.
“They just fooled us by not conducting the election before the governorship election and used us to deliver our candidate and later pushed us away. We have a right to protest and we shall do that through a well democratic process on the Election Day. There is no longer difference between APGA and PDP and as I speak with you, meetings and re-alignments are going on. We are the spirit in APGA and we are the only people that can stop APGA” he said.
It was gathered that the party hierarchy has kept mum to this issue while the governor elect, Willie Obiano could not salvage their predicament as he has allegedly been blackmailed to remain silent or his victory would be rubbished at the election petitions tribunal.
In Agukwu Nri ward 1, Anaocha local government area, Celestine Onuorah won the primaries which was signed by thirteen stakeholders out of fifteen, one Chief Lawrence Okafor was allegedly used to replace him and also in Amawbia ward II Mr. Christian Nwobu who won the primaries was replaced with Ndubuisi Nwokoye.
Also in Ihiala local government area where Mr. Uche Ezeana who was returned unopposed was allegedly replaced by Mr. Bath Awugosi.
According to Ezeana, “My sin was the leadership of the party claimed that I have a relationship with Former House of Representatives member, Chief Chuma Nzeribe and they connived with a money bag from Uli town in Ihiala local government to strip me off of my mandate and I was told that a huge sum of money exchanged hands running into twenties of millions.
In Idemili North Local Government Area the stake holders in a petition signed by the chairman, Chief Anthony Igwe Oguaju and the Secretary Christian C. Odunukwe, they lamented that
“The only that is yet to enjoy any elective post as a result of zoning arrangement is Idemili North –North comprising Ogidi 1 and Ogidi 2, Eziowelle and Abacha Ward. The post of local government chairman had since been zoned to them. But they are yet to enjoy it because of the delay in the conduct of the local government elections”
To our greatest surprise and dismay the zoning arrangement which was made for purpose of equity, justice and fairness is about to be disrupted by some Oraukwu people and their co-travelers due to somebody’s inordinate and selfish ambition.
While the crisis brewed supporters of APGA Governor elect Chief Willie Obiano two days ago in a meeting declared war against the alleged godfathers who have allegedly been blackmailing him.
Narrating to Nigerian Pilot, one Everistus Nwoye said “We are all aware of what these people are planning against our governor. Rumors have it that the suit filed by Hon. Uche Ekwunife over the so called double registration by Obiano have been handed over to some PDP members to continue the litigation even when the owner of the suit had withdrawn. We will not take it kindly with them should they try to cow our man into submission. We also wish to warn that nobody have monopoly of violence or illegality”
Already some Omabala Stake holders in Anambra North Senatorial zone have concluded arrangements to invite Obiano to address them on the threats and blackmail against him which it’s outcome may spell further doom in the party.`