Soludo names running mate for Anambra guber poll

Ekelem emerges Anambra SDP candidate, Obi-Okoye rejects Njoku as APGA chair

Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in November 6, 2021, Anambra State governorship election, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has nominated Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim as his running mate.

Ibezim is the younger brother to the Archbishop, province of the Niger and Bishop of Awka Diocese of the Anglican Church, Rev. Alexander Ibezim.

Ibezim, who is a medical doctor, serves as Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice, Executive Director of Anambra State Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS ANSACA and Managing Director of Anambra Oxygen Plant, Awka.

Soludo emerged APGA’s governorship candidate at the party primary election at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka, last weekend.

Returning Officer for the primary election, Sampson Olalere, announced that Soludo scored 740 votes to emerge, winner, Damian Okolo pulled seven votes, while Ezenwankwo Okwudili Ewepudike and ThankGod Ibe secured four votes each.

He further announced that there were 812 delegates of which 795 were accredited, while 792 delegates voted in the primary election.

BESIDES, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) delegates in the 21 councils of Anambra State, yesterday, elected Arinze Edward Ekelem the party’s flag-bearer in the November 6, 2021 governorship election.

Despite the only contestant at the election held at the State Headquarters of the party in Awka, the state capital, yesterday, a total of 114 delegates out of 115 screened and accredited delegates voted to affirm the Ekelem’s ticket.

Chairman of the Anambra SDP 2021 governorship primary election, Maggie Mariam Batubo, who declared Ekelem winner, announced that there were 111 valid votes, three rejected votes, while two delegates abstained from voting.
MEANWHILE, Political Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, Ifeatu-Obi-Okoye has dismissed claims that a Federal High Court, Awka, had sacked National Chairman of APGA, Victor Oye and named Edozie Njoku, as chairman of the party.

Obi-Okoye stated that reports on the issue were aimed at creating confusion, stressing that although “there is a matter in the Federal High Court over the party leadership, it has not got to the judgment stage.”

The report had claimed that INEC was asked to recognize Njoku, adding that it had put to jeopardy the governorship aspiration of Prof Charles Soludo, who is the candidate produced by Oye leadership for the November 6, election in the state.