Anambra 2021: Shock, Celebration In Awka As INEC Lists Umeoji/Orogbu As APGA Candidates

After weeks of political manoeuvring within the rank of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State over who will fly the party’s flag in the Governorship election holding in the state in November, on Friday the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, dropped the list of candidates.

In the electoral umpire’s decision, which will shape political activities in the state, INEC recognised the Member representing Aguata Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chuma Umeoji, as the party’s duly nominated candidate for the election.

The electoral umpire also recognised the Dean of Faculty of Management, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Lillian Orogbu, as the duly nominated Deputy Governorship candidate for APGA in the election.

With the announcement, former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof Charles Soludo, put forward by the Victor Oye faction of the party as its candidate, is no longer in the race.

The announcement led to jubilation on the streets of the state capital, Awka, just as it threw confusion into the camps of Soludo and those who have been pushing for his candidature, including the State Governor, Willie Obiano, as well as Victor Oye, who had been working as the National Chairman of the party.

With the listing of Hon. Umeoji as APGA candidate, the fate of Chief Victor Oye appeared decided alongside that of Prof Soludo, meaning that the electoral body has affirmed Jude Okeke as the authentic APGA Chairman in obedience to two Court judgements.

It is now apparent that the Soludo and Oye camps have not succeeded in securing the needed stay of execution at the Court of Appeal.

Expectedly, the development will eventually lead to a major political realignment in the state ahead of the November election.