Imo APGA Guber aspirants dump party

Senator Ararume

Controversies continue to trail the reported declaration of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, as the gubernatorial candidate of the APGA party. 13 governorship aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, have started defecting to other political parties

According to the report, the declaration happened at a point the other governorship aspirants were at the concluding part of taking a stand on consensus candidate after the primaries failed. Angered by Araraume’s declaration, include immediate past Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, Frank Nneji, Bright Nwanne, Ikedi Ohakim, Steve Nwoga, Sam Amadi; Okey Ezeh. Others are Charles Onyeagbako, Zik Azike, Uche Onyegucha, Ike Ibeh, Nick OparaNdudu, Chike Nsofor,  Philip Ibekwe and Obi Njoku, Stanley Amuchie. 


According to Vanguard, Mr Daniel Kanu was in support of Araraume’s candidature. As a result of the development, one of the governorship aspirants, immediate past Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim is said to have dumped APGA for Accord party to pursue his governorship ambition. 
At the time of filing this report, some are joining Ohakim while others have initiated negotiations with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and Social Democratic Party, SDP. 

Before the declaration of Araraume’s candidature, the venue of the primaries was initially at Aladimma mall, but on the day Araraume was pronounced winner by a Returning Officer, Mrs Eberechukwu Ejikeme, it took place at Kanu Nwankwo sports stadium in Owerri. 

On the day Araraume got the ticket, the committee was said to have arrived Owerri, at about 9pm but scores of contestants claimed that they were not informed. 
The APGA primaries were set to be on 6th October but were marred which followed with protests. On the 8th,  Araraume became victorious by beating other contenders. 
Some believed that Araraume, who joined APGA, about three weeks to the primaries, had a good relationship with the National Working Committee, NWC, to have clinched the ticket. 
Peeved by the outcome of the primaries, Sam Amadi said: “The plot to impose candidate must be resisted. We have resolved to present a consensus candidate. We will come out with our position and let the public know our stand.” Also Okey Ezeh, “No election took place he only declared himself the winner of the primary with the support of his supporters, thugs and militants at the sports centre in Owerri.”

NAN & VANGUARD