By Mimi Chiadikaobi in Awka
Mr Tony Omeligwe-Elee, Anambra State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA)said that the party was fully ready to conduct a credible, free and fair Primary Election .
Omeligwe-Elee said this on Wednesday in Awka in an interview with correspondent who monitored the primary election of the party to produce its candidate for the November 6 Governorship election in the state.
He said that the party has done and complied with requisite statutory notices envisaged under the Electoral Act 2010, as Amended and assured that the primary will hold as scheduled.
“APGA as a political party has met all requirements clearly outlined by electoral umpire in its Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of political party primary elections published by its body.
Omeligwe-Elee assured that the Party would conduct fair, just, credible and satisfactory primary election to all the delegates and Party faithful.
Mr Tex Okechukwu, APGA National Publicity Secretary, reassured party faithful, stakeholders and the general public that “APGA is fully prepared to conduct its Governorship Primary Election already slated.”
Okechukwu urged the party faithful to be in prayers as the party entered the final stages of the successful nomination of candidate for the governorship election in the state.
He assured party faithful not to panic based on the letter from Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) alleging that APGA failed to notify the Commission of the Adhoc Delegates’ Congress held across the three hundred and twenty-six wards on the June 15 to 16.
He said that APGA maintained that the INEC position in its letter “is not in line with the dictates of Section eighty-five sub (one) of the Electoral Act 2010 as Amended, as well as a plethora of judicial authorities in that regard as such cannot stop the primary election.”
“The party complied with requisite statutory notices envisaged under the Electoral Act 2010, as Amended as well as other requirements clearly outlined by INEC in its Regulations and Guidelines for the conduct of political party primary elections published by INEC.
“APGA as a party undertook all procedural steps, beginning with Publication of Timetable and Schedule of activities to Conduct of Ad hoc Delegates’ Election across the 326 wards of Anambra.
“We as a party submitted list of democratically-elected Ad hoc Delegates to the Commission in line with Articles four-five-one and four-five-two of the INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Political Parties primaries; as well as other relevant procedural steps and requirements.
“ APGA has never defaulted in complying with requisite procedural requirements for the nomination of its candidate in the past and will not begin now,” he said.
Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye,Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Political Matters, collaborated claims of Okechukwu’s assurance of the party’sreadiness to hold the primary election.
He disclosed that INEC officials were on ground to monitor the exercise in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
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He dismissed media reports alleging leadership crisis in APGA,which could lead to void the scheduled primary election or even denying the Party victory in the main election.
He explained that adequate arrangements, including security, had been made to ensure smooth conduct as well as safety of materials, adding that about 900 delegates were participating in the exercise.
“ We are doing our accreditation here at Ekwueme square, after which the accredited delegates would go to Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka for the election, we are ready,” he said.
Chief Ben Obi, an APGA Stakeholder, said the Party’s candidate for governorship election would emerge from the Primary election of June 23.
He urged the delegates to keep eyes on the ball and shun any political dis tractors at this critical time.
Our correspondent monitoring the exercise said it was peace amidst the watchful eyes of security personnel,while delegates were being accredited at the time of filling this report.
