Ahead of the conduct of its primary elections on Friday, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned that it will not tolerate any act of misconduct or anti-democratic activities during the exercise.
Addressing members and aspirants of the party in Awka, the Chairman, Chief Ikem Uzoezie, stated that the party is the preferred bride across the country, known for transparency and due process, urging members to maintain the record.
Uzoezie appealed to the aspirants to shun quarrels, fights, and all forms of violence during the exercise, maintaining that the primary election is a contest of ideas and popularity, not otherwise.
He stressed that the best candidates should emerge after the contest ahead of next year’s general elections, assuring aspirants of a level playing field.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Electoral Panel, Mr. Chukwudi Igwe, who represented the Chairman of the Electoral Panel, stated that they were in the state to communicate the party’s guidelines and expectations ahead of the primaries.
Igwe expressed optimism that the primary election would be peaceful and that Anambra State would set an example for the entire nation.
He maintained that Anambra State has no reason to disappoint the citizenry with the conduct of the primaries because the party’s sole presidential candidate is from the state, adding that the entire party handed the nomination to him to take over power in Abuja.
He said it would be disappointing if aspirants and their supporters failed to exhibit the ideals the party’s presidential candidate stands for, noting that all eyes are on Anambra to observe how the primaries would be conducted.
He, however, admonished the aspirants to conduct themselves in an orderly manner, stressing that the exercise is not a do-or-die affair but a call to service.
Igwe told the aspirants that those who may not emerge victorious are expected to support those who eventually emerge as the party’s candidates for the larger contest ahead.
He added that the party expects consensus candidacy to be pursued, but where that is not possible, Option A4 would be adopted for the elections on Friday.
He assured members that the process would be transparent and that the elections would be held at designated venues across all local government areas of the state.
Among those who attended the meeting were Odinaka Okoroafor, INEC representative from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja; the State Secretary of the party, Barr. Arinze Udeze; Senator Victor Umeh; Senator Tony Nwoye; serving members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly; other aspirants; and political stakeholders.
