Anambra 2013: PDP decides Uba, Nwoye’s fate this week 38 minutes ago By RAZAQ BAMIDELE Ahead of September 17 deadline for the submission of names of governorship candidates in Anambra State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will this week decide whose name to present to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Two factions in Anambra PDP had held parallel state congress, which produced Senator Andy Uba and Chief Tony Nwoye as candidates for the November 16 governorship election in Anambra. Since then, controversy has trailed the exercise, as there are court orders against Uba and Nwoye. Uba had emerged from the congress held by the Ejike Oguebego faction, which is recognised by INEC, while Nwoye was picked at the congress by the Ken Emeakayi faction, which has the backing of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP. Sources told Daily Sun that PDP, having weighed the implications of submitting Nwoye’s name, as earlier considered, have developed cold feet, fearing that doing so could be contempt of the court, since Uba had obtained an injunction restraining the party from doing so. It was gathered that PDP is considering the option of replacing both Uba and Nwoye with the name of a consensus candidate, to beat the next Tuesday’s deadline for submission of the names of candidates. The party sensed that with various court cases pending, if either of the two contending politicians is submitted, it may stand the risk of contempt of court or disqualification from the race. Right now, Ubah is in court to stop the INEC from recognising Nwoye as the party’s candidate for the November 16 election, while another aspirant, Nicholas Ukachukwu, is also in court against Nwoye and Uba’s candidature. Daily Sun gathered that series of meetings have been held, where other options have been considered. One of the options considered, it was learnt, was to cancel the congresses of the two factions for a fresh one. This option was dropped owing to time factor, as it’s barely one week to September 17. Also, the party was not sure that INEC would accept to observe another primaries. The option of picking one of the other aspirants, as consensus candidate, it was gathered, gained fillip to avoid submitting either Uba a or Nwoye’s name and the courts would declare that the exercise is null and void, which could mean that the PDP would not have a candidate in the election. Following this dilemma, Daily Sun learnt authoritatively that a crucial meeting over whose name to submit would be held between today and Friday, among President Goodluck Jonathan, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih and a few other key stakeholders. In the meeting, sources revealed, if the option of consensus candidate is okayed the party would persuade Uba and Nwoye to step down, as they have court injunctions against them. A source in the party told Daily Sun: “With the intensity of last night’s deliberation over the matter, a consensus candidate may likely emerged this week,” adding: “As the situation is now, definitely, time is not on our side.” If the PDP settles for a consensus candidate, other aspirants, who participated in the primaries, who may benefit are: Senator Anosike, Alex Obiagbolu, Obinna Uzoh, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo and Eucheria Azodo, among others. Knowing the role Jonathan would play in deciding what happens, some of the aspirants in the congresses are now granting interviews, where they praise the president, believing that this could make them the favoured one. Sources however revealed that the PDP is looking for someone, who has grassroots appeal, among the other aspirants.
Posted on: Tue, 10 Sep 2013 08:55:20 +0000
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