The trio of Senator Stella Oduah, Dozie Nwankwo, and Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, among others, emerged winners of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary elections in Anambra State.
Oduah emerged as the senatorial candidate for Anambra North District, Dozie Nwankwo was nominated as the candidate for Anambra Central District, while Chinedu Obidigwe won the nomination for Anambra East and West Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Chief Emma Nwachukwu, Chief Paschal Agbodike, and Mrs Mourine Gwacham were returned by party members for second terms as candidates of the party for Anambra South District, Oyi-Ayamelum, and Ihiala Federal Constituencies respectively.
In a joint press briefing by the National Assembly and State Assembly Committees, Mr Agunzi Victor (SAN) described the exercise as transparent, peaceful, and seamless, adding that both the winners and aspirants who did not win appreciated the peaceful process.
Both committees lauded the national leadership of the party for creating a conducive environment for them to discharge their duties.
“We have to specifically commend the national leadership of our party and the Governor of Anambra State, who is the national leader of our great party, for providing the conducive atmosphere and making the entire exercise free and credible, devoid of any interference.
“He has indeed demonstrated that he is a true democrat, and we commend him for that. We hope other leaders will emulate his attitude.
“He allowed members of the committees to carry out the process freely, and the winners of the primary elections truly reflect the wishes of the members of the party,” he said.
In the case of Awka North and South Federal Constituency, the committee said it had reasons to reschedule elections in seven wards — two in Awka North and five in Awka South Local Government Areas — as well as in the Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency.
“We had reasons to reschedule supplementary primary elections across some wards within the state.
“We conducted supplementary elections in some wards in the Anaocha-Dunukofia-Njikoka Federal Constituency, and Chinedu Oli emerged as the nominated candidate.
“We also had supplementary elections within Awka North and South, which led to the nomination of Chief Obi Nwankwo.
“In the case of Awka North and South Federal Constituency, there is a provision in our party guidelines that where elections could not hold in some areas due to one reason or another, supplementary elections should be conducted to determine the eventual winner within the constituency.
“In this case, the margin of victory after the first primary election held on the 23rd was much lower than the number of registered party members in the affected seven wards.
“The margin was about 200 votes, while the number of registered party members who did not vote was over 4,000 in those wards.
“Proceeding with the earlier results would amount to denying them their right to vote, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance is determined to ensure that no member of the party is disenfranchised,” he said.
