Anambra 2017: Nine APC aspirants pick forms

Adaobi Uchegbu Only Female Aspirant So Far

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded one female aspirant for the November 18, 2017 governorship poll in Anambra State, as Mrs. Adaobi Kate Uchegbu picked the party’s expression of intent and nomination forms.

The decision of Uchegbu, who is a prominent member of APC from Idemili local government council in the Anambra Central Senatorial district, comes in breach of the demand by Senator Jim Nwobodo committee that aspirants from the senatorial zone should opt out in the interest of fairness.

Eminent groups and stakeholders, including traditional rulers and Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo had endorsed zoning of governorship seat to avert acrimonious politicking and attendant waste of resources in gubernatorial elections in the state.

However, following strident arguments by aspirants from Anambra South Senatorial zone that their zone was yet to do a second governorship term like the Central, the APC leadership accepted to allow aspirants from Anambra North and South pick the forms and settle the logjam in the governorship primary.

APC has fixed Tuesday July 18 to Monday 24 for the purchase and return of completed nomination forms and as at Friday nine aspirants, including Senator Andy Uba, Tony Nwoye, Barth Nwibe, George Muoghalu, Obinna Uzo, Johnbosco Onunkwo, Paul Chukwuma, Dr. Chike Obidigbo and Uchegbu had paid and collected the forms.

Although sources told The Guardian that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, may have prodded Mrs. Uchegbu to pick the forms with a view to exploiting the substitution window, APC chieftain are worried that the ticket may be up for the highest bidder, even as they claim that any post-primary recrimination may mar the party’s bright chances.

An APC chieftain from the north told The Guardian that with the campaigns for boycott by IPOB and crisis in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), APC stands a better chance. He, however, lamented that with the way money has started changing hands, the party may end up with an unpopular candidate.