Politics
INEC letter reveals APGA is out of 2021 Anambra governorship race
The protracted intra-party wrangling might have cost the
the All Progresives Grand Alliance (APGA) from participating in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship race, save for any divine intervention.
This is because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written a warring faction, Victor Oye faction that it wasn’t duly notified of any ward congresses within 21 days as recommended ahead of the election which obviously was in breach of section 85 of the Electoral Act.
The Electoral umpire’s letter was in response to clarification sought by a principal Counsel of law firm, Omas and Partners who had earlier written and asked for the information while relying on the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
INEC’s letter dated June 18, 2021 read, “This is to inform you that the Commission did not receive the statutory 21 days’ notice for the nomination of APGA Anambra State governorship candidate from Victor Oye led APGA.
“Accordingly, the Commission did not monitor the said ward congress and as such, there is no monitoring report of the Commission.”
In another letter to the National Chairman of the embattled party, noted: “Please refer to your letter dated June 16, 2021 forwarding the list of delegates for the nomination of APGA’s Governorship Candidate in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election.
“This is to notify you that the records of the Commission indicates that APGA did not duly notify the Commission of the date of the Congress where the ad hoc delegates were elected as required by Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended)
“Accordingly the Commission is unable to confirm if the Ad hoc Delegates list submitted by your party is the outcome of a democratic process as required by Section 87(7) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended).
“The Commission wishes to emphasize the need for full compliance with all legal requirements for the conduct of Party Primaries as earlier communicated in the Commissions letter to your Party dated 7th June 2021 (REF: INEC/DEPM/UPPM/119/1/37).”
The two letters by INEC have therefore rendered APGA’s Wednesday governorship primary an exercise in futility as the use of invalid delegate list will exclude the party from the election.
Meanwhile, the Jude Okeke-led APGA has accused suspended Oye of deliberate refusal to submit 21 days’ notice for his faction to the Commission after allegedly collecting $2m.
Oye was further accused of sealing a Senatorial ticket deal with those he described as enemies of the party with a promise to help use technicalities to exclude APGA from the ballot.
The Publicity Secretary of the Okeke faction, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, in his reaction, said the faction remains the only option and hope for APGA to have a candidate in Anambra since he dully submitted all the notices.
Chukwunyere said, “We are aware of the position of INEC on this matter.
“As disheartening as it is, there is still hope for the party.
“Although the Oye faction had missed the issuance of statutory notice, all hope is not lost if the party backs the Okeke faction.
“This is because the Okeke faction has served all valid notices for the APGA primary in Anambra.
“It is important to join hands with the faction now if the party must take part in the election.”
Disturbed by the alleged disdain for the Social Democratic Party, SDP leadership structure by the new entrants, the forum of State Chairmen of SDP has*cautioned its leadership structure must be recognized, respected and not tampered with.
The Forum said, it has confidence the SDP leadership structure, warning some high profile politicians defecting to the party not to move against or alter its core identity.
This caution was contained in a communiqué issued on Thursday at the Green Minds Hotel Conference Centre in Abuja, declaring full support for the SDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, and National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, adding their effort in repositioning the party was well noted and worth applauding.
Recently the SDP has swollen up with defectors who are high profile politicians, even as the State Chairmen noted that new members must be integrated through proper party channels.
“New members are welcome, but they cannot admit or register themselves,” the communiqué stated, reinforcing that state leadership remains the gateway for party membership.
The forum also warned against any hasty changes to the party’s name, logo, or constitution, insisting that such decisions must undergo thorough deliberation by the National Executive Council (NEC).
Additionally, they rejected any attempts to dissolve democratically elected structures to accommodate new entrants, emphasizing that elected officials must serve their full terms.
Reaffirming SDP’s democratic ethos, the chairmen pledged to resist any moves that could subordinate the party to personal or sectional ambitions.
“The SDP belongs to all Nigerians. It must not be hijacked by any individual or interest group,” they declared.
With elections on the horizon and an influx of political heavyweights into the party, the SDP leadership appears set on preserving its identity while expanding its influence. Whether these internal guidelines will prevent friction or spark further debates remains to be seen.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, on the affirmation of their electoral victory in the recent judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
In a statement signed by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the landmark judgment validates the overwhelming support of the Edo State electorate for the APC’s candidate in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The party stated that the Governor’s victory stands as an affirmation of the popular will of the good people of Edo State.
“We applaud the judiciary for its well-reasoned decision in the matter, underscoring its independence, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening democracy in our country.
“Our great Party salutes the good people of Edo State for their massive support of our Party during the past election, and for their patience and sustained support through the litigation.
“Confident that this well-deserved victory will further energize Governor Okpebholo, who is already saturating the state with good governance and dividends of democracy, we urge the Governor to do even more for the Edo electorate, and translate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda into meaningful benefits for all in the state.
“We remain thankful to President Tinubu, our visionary and dogged achiever, for his exceptional leadership of our great Party”, the party said.
The Chairman of the Unity and Reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Senator Usman Jibril Wowo has appealed to aggrieved members of the party to building bridges of unity rather than internal crisis that does no one any good.
He said, now is a better time to build bridges of unity in the party through the privilege of APC Reconciliation Committee put in place, hence, party members should speak to each other as brothers and sisters.
Senator Wowo said this in Abuja while felicitating with the Muslim Ummah for a successful Ramadan season which culminated in the celebration of the Sallah.
He called on all members of the party to take advantage of the internal reconciliatory structure of the party to vent their issues, for an amicable resolution so that they can amplify the name of the FCT as the Center of Unity.
He said “let us come together and talk about these differences and forge a united headway towards a bigger APC in the future, we must know that the area councils elections are just by the corner.”
He said it is not an accident that the Christians are also observing the Lent season which is an expression of faith and obedience to God.
Senator Wowo said while it is human to suffer imperfection it is also for man to continue to exercise understanding and forgiveness towards one another where such need arises but this can only come where there are clear communications between parties involved in the conflict.
Wowo said Nigerians in exercise of their grievances should approach conflict resolution with open mind so that parties would make way forward in unity.
The former lone Senator of the Federal Capital Territory said the move by the party to reconcile all grieving parties has become important following the unpleasant performance of the party in the last area councils elections.
He argued that ahead of the next area council elections it was proper for all the grieving parties to come together and share their reservations for an amicable resolution of these differences which can only be resolved by talking together.
According to Senator, Wowo the reconciliation committee is in accordance with he party constitution to retain her members at all time.
Sen Wowo said, “The party has a duty to ‘promote reconciliation, encourage and facilitate the settlement of dispute in amicable manner, among members of the party”
He said any association of humans naturally experiences conflict and this is one of such that can be resolved when they come together to the same table and digest the matter and eliminate those areas of conflict so that they can move forward.
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