Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has stated that its governorship ticket is open to all members of the Party in the State.
DAILY POST recalls that ex-Governor Senator Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East Senatorial zone handed over to Barr. Sullivan Chime from Enugu West, who also completed a two tenure of eight years. Chime later handed over to the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from Enugu North Senatorial Zone.
Governor Ugwuanyi is still serving his current tenure, fueling speculations that the APC would present a guber candidate from the same zone.
However, speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Enugu APC chairman, Ben Nwoye said the party’s ticket was open to interested aspirants from all parts of the State.
Nwoye, who spoke on a wide range of issues, said the party presented Barr. Okey Ezea from Enugu North as its candidate during the 2015 election as he was the only aspirant.
“In 2015, Barr. Okey Ezea was not our candidate because of zoning; the fact is that he was the only person that had the guts and the money to challenge the PDP in that election.
“So, for the 2019, when the time comes, any interested guber aspirant, whether from Enugu North, Enugu West, or Enugu East, is free to pick the form, and if the person is qualified and goes ahead to win the primary, we shall present same as our candidate.
“I must tell you, we are very calculative and focused in our movement towards 2019. APC has put in place the needed structures to send PDP parking in Enugu State,” he boasted.
The Party chairman equally accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the State of violating extant provisions of the Electoral Laws ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Speaking against campaign posters of the governor, which had appeared in some locations, Nwoye, said “I am not only saying that it is absolutely wrong and illegal, I am saying that the PDP in the state is heating up the polity, and violating the electoral act.”
DAILY POST recalls that the PDP had earlier in a statement disowned the campaign posters.
The party had in a statement signed by its State Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, said it was more pre-occupied in mobilizing the people for voters’ registration and not politicking.
According to Nnamani, “The Party appreciates the goodwill and solidarity of the group and other related associations, but wishes to state that what is ultimate in its agenda at the moment is total mobilization of eligible voters in the state to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the forthcoming general elections.
“The Party, therefore, appeals to the groups to channel their efforts towards the Voters’ Registration exercise, which would ensure the actualization of our ultimate goal in 2019.”
However, Nwoye said the posters were in violation of the electoral law, calling on the relevant authorities to rise up to their responsibilities.
Also commenting on the former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statement, which passed a non-performance verdict on President Muhammadu Buhari, Nwoye said the ex-President lacked the moral grounds to speak in such manner.
He said, “Obasanjo is an elder statesman but most times, he breaches rules of decorum as a former President. He carries his weight around.
“This is a man that attempted to perpetuate himself in office; he became so intoxicated with power. Nigerians gave him two tenure after which he did ethical and unethical things, including enticing and bribing people to get a third tenure in office.
“It is the mess Obasanjo planted that has continued. Issues of the 2nd Niger Bridge, power, Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway, these were not just things caused by former President Goodluck Jonathan. Obasanjo started the mess.”
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