OF all the primaries organized by political parties for the 2019 polls in Anambra State, that of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for Anambra South Senatorial seat held at the Ekwulobia township stadium, was the most keenly contested.
APGA
The transparently organized contest at which all the aspirants sat side by side, monitoring it live, and intermittently throwing glances sideways at others, observers, party faithful, supporters, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security agents, and the print/broadcast/social media had gone down the record books as the freest and most keenly contested, until now.
The election stretched into the night but all the participating political heavyweights waited patiently because they knew that this primary election was the key determining point in their 2019 senatorial aspiration.
The screened and cleared aspirants included Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Dr Okey Chidolue, Dr Anslem Enyimba, and Chief Ikenna Mbazulike-Amechi.
One by one, the delegates trickled-in as they were called, council after council. They were also dutifully handed the ballot papers and had to cast their ballot as they entered the arena.
When the results were collated and announced, Prince Ukachukwu won with 211 votes, followed by Ambassador Ojukwu, 177 votes. Dr Enyimba and Mbazulike-Amechi scored two votes each, while Dr Chidolue got one vote.
These aspirants, like good sportsmen instantly shared warm handshakes with Ukachukwu, the popular choice. Mbazulike-Amechi and Chidolue led in this display of open comradeship as they embraced Ukachukwu very warmly in the full view of all.
Chidolue reportedly followed up this with a telephone message and had to personally lead a delegation to Ukachukwu’s Orsumenyi country home to commend him, saying ‘a better man won.’
It was therefore shocking to hear of the Abuja High court verdict which was said to have been initiated by the same Chidolue. That he had tried to cast aspersions on the same primary election he sat through to the end to witness fully and had commended the winner is surprising.
It’s however not in the corridor of anyone to question his right of litigation or disagreement as it is his inalienable right as a human being to approach the court at any moment in life for any issue he was not clear or satisfied with. But must this be made to throw mud on the face of justice and fair play?
Of all that participated in the primary election, Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu came closest to the winner. She raised other issues, which did not question the validity of the contest. Thank God the immediate past National Secretary of the party, and the incumbent governorship flagbearer in Zamfara state, Alh Sanni Shinkafi has publicly acknowledged that her grouse had been resolved.
So where is this Chidolue issue emanating from?
Some had also asked what manner of judgement was that? What purpose has the so-called judgement served him, his friends outside APGA or APGA followers bent on rallying round Ukachukwu to give the zone a worthwhile representation in the next Senate?
Nigerians and the world are keenly watching to see how the Court of Appeal would handle this matter.
Mr Chuks Collins, a media practioner, wrote from Awka, Anambra State.
