APGA Ticket: I’m Not A Consensus Candidate, Wiper Says

OGENE NNDIGBO

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The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Oyi LGA, Anambra State, has denied the insinuation and position of the media handlers of Hon Uchenna Okafor Wiper that APGA Party Stakeholders led by Dr. Tim Menakaya and the Oyi APGA Ward Chairmen have endorsed Hon Okafor as the candidate of the party for the 2023 House of Representatives election.

The Oyi APGA Chairman, Chief Onochie Mkpuechina a.k.a “Taker”, told newsmen in Nteje on Monday that the party in the LGA still maintains its position and assurance of a level playing field for all the aspirants, adding that the APGA in Oyi strongly believes in the ideals of democracy which hinges on fairness, justice and fair play.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the media handlers of an aspirant Hon Uchenna Okafor Wiper alleging imposition of a particular aspirant as House of Rep flagbearer. As far as the APGA in Oyi is concerned, our position has not changed. Recently, stakeholders’ meeting was held at Umunya. Our Leader, Dr. Menakaya, appealed to all the aspirants to ensure that they do not go into the Primary with violence, that peace, unity and harmony should prevail. All the aspirants were encouraged to dialogue with the delegates.”

”The Chairman reiterated the party’s position that there will be a level playing ground for all the aspirants. No one discussed about consensus candidate. We are not going to play politics of imposition, every aspirants that have been cleared by our screening committee, will contest the primary elections” he said. 

Hon Uchenna Okafor Wiper and Lady Maureen Gwacham are the House of Reps aspirants from Oyi LGA gearing up to contest for the APGA ticket at the upcoming primary election for the Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency.

On Monday, Hon Uchenna Okafor Wiper denied that he was not chosen by the APGA leadership as a consensus candidate, stating that his Media Director erred by going to the press with such frivolous statements, without his consent and approval.

“I did not approve the story my media director published, and I have called him to order. I’m a true democrat, I don’t think consensus candidate at this time is proper. Maureen is my friend, and politics will not tear us apart. Whoever wins the APGA ticket at the primaries should be congratulated” Hon Okafor said.