Magnus Eze, Enugu
A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, led by Okey Ogbodo, has purportedly unveiled a female running mate to its governorship candidate, George Ogara.
This came ahead of the publication of list of candidates eligible to contest the governorship and House of Assembly elections on November 2, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
However, Daily Sun gathered that the Ben Nwoye-headed faction recognised by the national headquarters would, within the week, present Prince Chikwado Chukwuta as running mate to its flag bearer, Senator Ayogu Eze.
The rival group presented Mrs. Ginika Tor-Williams to their supporters at Ogara’s campaign office, in Enugu, last weekend.
Both Tor-Williams and Chukwuta hail from Awgu Local Government Area in Enugu West senatorial district of the state.
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Speaking at the event, Ogbodo said the choice of Tor-Williams was in line with the decision of the party in the state, to select the running mate from Enugu West senatorial district, having produced the governorship candidate of the party from Enugu North senatorial district.
He added that it also satisfied the quest of the party’s leadership at the national level on gender sensitivity.
Ogbodo warned that any attempt to choose governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the party outside the two, when the final list is published, will spell doom for APC in Enugu State.
In her acceptance speech, Tor-Williams promised to work closely with Ogara to turn around the economy of the state. She also promised to influence more women involvement in governance of the state.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of APC has nullified the purported expulsion of former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, from the party.
APC’s National Organising Secretary, Emma Ibediro, who made the declaration last weekend, said the party was yet to receive any official communication on the said expulsion by a faction of the party in the State, led by Dr. Ben Nwoye.
Nwoye had announced the expulsion of Nnamani, accusing him of contravening Article 21 of the party’s constitution, by taking the national leadership and National Vice Chairman of the party in the South East, Emma Enukwu, to court over the recently held national convention of the party.
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Ibediro said before a party member is either suspended or expelled, the laid down procedures must be strictly adhered to.
“You must set up a disciplinary committee to try such an individual and the report of such committee must go through the ward, local government, state and finally the national. Such a person must be given fair hearing and so long as such a procedure is not complied with, any announcement of expulsion is a ruse and of no effect,” he said.
He also pointed out that a lot of issues had arisen from the national convention of the party as those who were not comfortable with the outcome had decided to challenge the entire process, stressing that his own emergence is equally being challenged in court.