Anambra guber: Nwoye hails Shettima, APC primary committee

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Tony Nwoye, has described as unfortunate, the u-turn by Senator Andy Uba, on the outcome of the party’s primary.

A statement made available to ERICGOSSIP.COM by Nwoye’s media team hailed the “transparency and credibility” displayed by Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, and the party’s primary committee.

It urged the party to toe the path of truth and fairness by upholding a free and fair primary that drew applause form stakeholders and majority of Nigerians.

The statement reads: “On 26th August, 2017, the All Progressives Peoples Congress (APC) conducted their primary election for the selection of a candidate to fly the flag of the party in the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election scheduled to hold on 18th November, 2017.

“The primary election was conducted by the Electoral Panel led by Governor Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State. The delegates who were to vote at the election came down to Awka, Anambra State capital on 25th November, 2017 and were camped in different hotels.

“On 26th November, 2017, they proceeded to Alex Ekwueme Square for accreditation and only those accredited at the gate by verification of their identities using their permanent voter cards, their membership cards and the names on the list of delegates were allowed entry into the square.

“From that square, they were conveyed amidst tight security to Prof. Dora Akunyili Development Centre for voting, where they were once again subjected to identification before they voted.

“The voting process was covered live by National Television Authority. In the course of the voting, Senator Andy Uba was interviewed by a journalist and he answered as follows:

“I think it’s going on well and everything is working according to plan and you can see that the process is what is supposed to be, anyway they are following due process, everything is going well… its been working fine, I have never seen any problem. Those that are complaining, I don’t see.. we are ..sitting down and asking what is going on.

“When asked if what his reaction would be if he loses, he answered as follows:

​’We continue, I will work for the party, the most important thing is for ​APC to win the state, ​that is what is important to me. But I know by ​the grace of God, that I am going to win, I am going to emerge the ​winner..’

“At the end of voting, votes were counted and Hon. Dr. Tony Nwoye polled a total of 2,146 votes to beat Senator Andy Uba with a margin of 1,215 votes as Senator Ubah polled 931 votes. Dr. Nwoye was consequently declared winner. The primary election was adjudged to be one of the best ever conducted and all and sundry lauded the efforts of Governor Shettima.

“Few days after the primary election, Senator Andy Ubah sprang surprises by petitioning the APC Electoral Appeal Panel claiming that the election was rigged. He claimed that fake delegates were utilised for the conduct of the election which saw the emergence of Dr. Nwoye.

“In a surprising volteface, he asked the Appeal Panel to declare him the winner of the same primary election which he claimed was marred by irregularities. Perhaps, Senator Ubah also forgot that he granted an interview in which he acknowledged the fairness and credibility of the process believing he would win.

“It will indeed be an indictment of Governor Shettima and his panel if the Appeal Panel ends up with a decision that the election was rigged. It would also be very unfair to the delegates who slept in Awka from 25th to 27th of August and were beaten by rain and sunshine and rarely had the opportunity to feed and drink water just to cast their vote for the aspirant of their choice if the Appeal panel can because of one man make nonsense of the primary election which was adjudged by the whole nation including Senator Uba to be free and fair.

“It will also be a monumental embarrassment to the Progressives Governors Forum (APC Governor’s Forum) who have already congratulated Dr. Nwoye on his well deserved victory and will paint the party in a very odious portrait if the party takes any decision against the said primaries.

“No Governor worth his salt can even take up a similar task of leading another panel to conduct another exercise when the transparency and credibility displayed by Governor Shettima and indeed the integrity of the party are all being thrown to the dogs in exchange for soothing another fellow’s personal desire.

“It is interesting to note that the Chairman of the Appeal Panel was there to witness the conduct of the primary election. As at today, Senator Uba’s supporters are boasting that they have bought over the Appeal Panel and that they are sure the Appeal Panel would do the bidding of Senator Uba. Ears are itching to hear the decision of the Appeal Panel and the party.”