{"id":3259,"date":"2025-04-07T09:53:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T09:53:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/?p=3259"},"modified":"2025-04-07T09:53:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T09:53:24","slug":"apc-may-reject-anambra-guber-primary-poll-as-petitions-violence-protests-mar-process-aspirants-stakeholders-set-to-dump-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/2025\/04\/07\/apc-may-reject-anambra-guber-primary-poll-as-petitions-violence-protests-mar-process-aspirants-stakeholders-set-to-dump-party\/","title":{"rendered":"APC may reject\u00a0 Anambra guber primary poll as petitions, violence, protests mar process. … Aspirants, stakeholders set to dump party"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Our Reporter<\/div>\n
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There are strong indications that the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may likely cancel the outcome of the just concluded Anambra governorship primary has following the\u00a0 allegations of malpractices, manipulation, violence and other undemocratic practices recorded at the election.<\/div>\n
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According to sources this unhealthy practices\u00a0 allegedly resulted in the resignation and withdrawal from the race by some aspirants before and after the exercise.<\/div>\n
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A major contender in the race,Chief Chukwuma Umeoji, who was the first to withdraw from the race on Friday before the exercise started, claimed that the action was prompted by decisions reached after consultations with supporters who faulted the process and the undue interference by the party leadership in the process.<\/div>\n
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Another foundation member of the party, Paul Chukwuma, announced immediate resignation from the APC barely 24 hours to the primary election citing undemocratic practices as reasons for dumping his membership of the party.<\/div>\n
In his resignation letter, Chukwuma, a former National Auditor of the party said: \u201cI write to formally notify you (the party) of my resignation as a card carrying member of the APC.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy decision finds expression in the quest to connect Anambra State to national politics by building a broader and all encompassing political movement within Anambra State in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\u2019s \u201cRenewed Hope Agenda.”<\/div>\n
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As the primary was underway on Saturday, another foremost aspirant, Obiora Okonkwo also announced his withdrawal from the APC Governorship internal election citing lack of confidence in the process.<\/div>\n
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Obiora Okonkwo, a prominent contender in the governorship primary election, officially withdrew his candidacy, citing concerns over issues that clash with personal principles and the safety of his supporters.<\/div>\n
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In a letter addressed to the party and his supporters, Okonkwo said his choice was \u201cdifficult but necessary,\u201d pointing out that, after thorough reflection, he could no longer pursue the party\u2019s gubernatorial ticket.<\/div>\n
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He noted the significant risks posed to the lives of his supporters as a primary factor in his sudden decision.<\/div>\n
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\u201cAfter careful assessment of the current dynamics surrounding the APC\u2019s primary election in Anambra State, I have resolved to withdraw my aspiration for the party\u2019s governorship nomination. This choice was not made lightly, but I believe it is necessary due to developments incongruent with my values. No political endeavor is worth jeopardizing the lives of my supporters,\u201d Okonkwo said in the letter.<\/div>\n
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While he did not elaborate on the specific issues which prompted his withdrawal, he said ensuring the safety of his supporters remained his foremost concern.<\/div>\n
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Despite stepping back from the race, Okonkwo reaffirmed his dedication to the advancement of Anambra and the overall progress of Nigeria while also expressing strong support for President Bola Tinubu\u2019s initiatives adding that he is committed to engaging in efforts that promote socio-economic and political development within the state and the country.<\/div>\n
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\u201cMy commitment to public service endures, and I will continue to contribute to the socio-economic and political betterment of Anambra State and our nation, Nigeria.<\/div>\n
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I will persist in supporting President Bola Tinubu\u2019s development programmes aimed at fostering economic growth for the welfare of our citizens,\u201d Okonkwo said.<\/div>\n
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In the statement, Okonkwo expressed gratitude to his political associates, stakeholders, and supporters, recognizing their solidarity and trust throughout his campaign endeavours. He acknowledged the enriching experiences\u00a0 gained through interactions with passionate Anambra people.<\/div>\n
\u201cI am deeply appreciative of the trust and backing shown to me by my political associates, supporters, and stakeholders within the APC and beyond. Your support has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many dedicated Anambrarians,\u201d Okonkwo concluded.<\/div>\n
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Prior to Okonkwo\u2019s withdrawal, three other aspirants had also opted out of the APC governorship primary race. They are Chukwuma Umeoji, a former member of the House of Representatives, who withdrew on Friday after consultations with his supporters, while Paul Chukwuma opted to resign from the party entirely.<\/div>\n
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With Okonkwo\u2019s exit, the field was left open for Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former federal lawmaker; Valentine Ozigbo, the PDP candidate from the 2021 governorship election; Johnbosco Onunkwo; and Edozie Madu.<\/div>\n
Earlier, Chukwuma Umeoji said he withdrew from the race for personal reasons, stating that: \u201cthis decision was made in good faith following consultations with my supporters across the state.\u201d<\/div>\n
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The APC issued a statement thereafter and according to the reaction signed by National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, the APC thanked the aspirant for bowing out honourably from the race: \u201cOur great party thanks Umeoji for his aspiration and dedicated support of the party in Anambra state and nationally.<\/div>\n
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\u201cIt is our hope that Rt. Hon. Umeoji will do all in his power to support and work for the victory of the eventual gubernatorial flagbearer of our great party in the November 8, 2025 Anambra state gubernatorial election,” the party statement said.<\/div>\n
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Meanwhile, the seven-member primary election petitions committee headed by the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu has concluded arrangements to start reviewing series of petitions emanating from aggrieved aspirants over the election, according to the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee.<\/div>\n
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The party has also named Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi as the Chairman of the Primary Election Appeal Committee to consider claims and objections that may follow after the work of the petitions committee.<\/div>\n
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The APC has not announced any winner as at midday on Sunday when this report was filed.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Our Reporter There are strong indications that the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may likely cancel the outcome of the just concluded Anambra governorship primary has following the\u00a0 allegations of malpractices, manipulation, violence and other undemocratic practices recorded at the election. According to sources this unhealthy practices\u00a0 allegedly resulted in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[2113,2112,1256,2110,2111,222],"class_list":["post-3259","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-arrangements","tag-flagbearer","tag-gubernatorial","tag-malpractices","tag-manipulation","tag-violence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3259","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3259"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3259\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3260,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3259\/revisions\/3260"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3259"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3259"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyechoes.ng\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3259"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}