The All Grand Progress Alliance, APGA, won’t participate in the Anambra Governorship Election come November 21st 2021.
This is because INEC has pointed out a faction of APGA led by Victor Oye and supported by Governor Obiano did not duly notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before holding ward congresses ahead of the governorship poll within the 21 days recommended by its regulations and Section 85 of the Electoral Act.
INEC has communicated its position on the matter to the faction in two separate letters.
In one of the letters, the commission addressed its position to the principal counsel of a 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.
The letter dated June 18, 2021 with a screenshot image published below 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.”
With INEC not recognizing APGA’s ward congresses, APGA’s primary billed for July 23rd, 2021, will be a wasted effort. APGA’s only saving grace would be reconciling the two factions and presenting a consensus candidate. The problem with this is that the Jude Okeke faction, too, did not hold an INEC-certified ward Congress.
It seems karma is catching up on Victor Oye-led APGA for arbitrarily disqualifying five governorship aspirants including Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor and Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji with the political adeptness to beat the “annointed” Charles Soludo candidacy.
But this is more than just about karma. It could be a move orchestrated from Abuja to ensure that APGA which is seen as an Igbo party loses its only governorship seat, paving way for APC to take over Anambra State.
APC already controls Imo State via a weird Supreme Court ruling that saw the candidate who came fourth declared winner; APC also controls Ebonyi State via party switch. APC has never won a first-term governorship election in the Southeast. Rochas Okorocha was first elected under the platform of APGA.
With APGA set to be ruled out of the election, APC is the favourite to clinch the price and this is not necessarily because the people will vote for them. With APGA out of the picture, APC with federal might, with an eye for 2023, would easily out-muscle PDP.
This is not the first time APGA is having factional conflict leading to a Governorship poll. In 2009, Peter Obi was seeking re-election for the February 6th 2010 election and there were two factions – one led by Victor Umeh and the other by Chekwas Okorie.
The Victor Umeh-faction nominated Peter Obi as their candidate but there was a problem, INEC didn’t recognize this faction. As per INEC, Chekwas Okorie was the rightful chairman of APGA.
Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, APGA founder and national leader’s influence made the difference in INEC recognising Victor Umeh’s chairmanship and Peter Obi’s candidacy.
Twelve years later, with Ojukwu no more and Peter Obi out of the party, it doesn’t look great for APGA.
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