APGA Hails INEC on Anambra Senatorial Election Rerun

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has expressed satisfaction with the resolve of the Independence Electoral Commission to conduct the long-awaited Anambra Central senatorial rerun election on January 13, 2018 in compliance with the judgment of the court.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division had ordered INEC to conduct the rerun election for the vacant Senate seat within 90 days.

National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Ike Oye, in a statement issued at the weekend, said that party welcomes the development and would mobilise its machinery towards ensuring that it secures its first Senate seat in Anambra State.

“This is a very important election through which our great party will produce its first senator for Anambra State. The first senator was Christie Anyanwu elected in 2011 but who later defected to PDP in 2014,” he said.

Oye regretted that the rerun election, which was earlier fixed for March 5, 2016, was abruptly postponed after every arrangement had been put in place by INEC, as a result of a bizarre judgment by an Abuja High Court ordering INEC to add PDP to the ballot.

“There is no doubt that this is a season of joy and success for our great party. Just on November 22, 2017, Governor Willie Obiano and his deputy, including the member-elect for Idemili North in the state House of Assembly, were presented their Certificates of Return having won their elections convincingly.

“It is our view that everything possible should be done to sustain the present winning streak in the party into 2019 general election.

“We are committed to continue to work for the peace, progress and prosperity of APGA. We urge all our members, especially those in Anambra Central, to brace up to the challenges ahead. We should be over confident or too complacent as we prepare for this all-important election.

Speaking on the victory of the party in the just-concluded governorship election in Anambra state, Oye said that APGA’s triumph was an indication of its preparedness to face every election with the resoluteness it requires.

He said that party have commenced designing of the strategic architecture to deliver the election on January 13 next year.

“We will not relent in our effort to enforce discipline in our party and foster mutual cooperation and respect among our members. With regular prayer and diligent planning the election is as good as having been won.

“We congratulate our candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, on his doggedness and focus, which have made the impending victory now a clear possibility.

“We seize this opportunity to appeal to all those aggrieved one way or another to sheath their swords and cooperate with our great party to produce a Senator for Anambra Central after 31 months without one.

“The continued stay of Anambra Central Zone without a senator is an ill-wind that blows nobody any good. We must allow brotherly love and common sense to prevail this time round. This is definitely to the benefit of all of us.

“We will not fail to commend our indefatigable action governor, Obiano, for his unremitting commitment, love and support to our party,” he added.