INEC shortlists 37 political parties for Anambra State governorship poll

Monarchs, teachers adopt Olusola for Ekiti guber election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the names of 37 registered political parties contesting for the Anambra State November 18, 2017 governorship election.

However, it was discovered that the name of the factional flag bearer of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Hygers Igwebike, was not on display.The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji, who spoke with newsmen yesterday in Awka, said the list also contained the names of the governorship candidates and their deputies.

Among the political parties and their candidates published yesterday include Chief Willie Obiano and his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke (APGA); Mr. Oseloka Henry Obaze and Mrs. Chidi A. Onyemelukwe of People’s Democratic Party (PDP); and Dr. Tony Okechukwu Nwoye and Mr. Dozie Ikedife Arinze of All Progressives Congress (APC), among others.

According to the REC, the commission has put all necessary mechanisms in place to ensure a transparent and hitch-free election.He, therefore, appealed to the various political parties in the state to campaign peacefully to help the commission deliver on its mandate of free, fair and credible election.

He said INEC would not publish two names from a political party, especially those who conducted primaries like Hygers Igwebike, adding that they only have the name of Governor Obiano as a candidate.

In another development, teachers and traditional rulers in Ekiti State have adopted the Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, as their preferred candidate in next year’s governorship election in the state.

Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, who is also the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs during a luncheon by stakeholders to celebrate the state for coming first in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination for two consecutive years, said Olusola, who also oversees the sector, was critical to the success recorded and that nothing bad in allowing him to continue from where Fayose would stop.

Also, the state Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ipinlaye Oludele, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, said with continuity under Olusola, the gains in the sector would be sustained.

Fayose, in his remarks, said the secret of the state coming first in NECO and improving in West African Examinations Council (WAEC) performance was because of the priority given to teachers to drive its policies.