From Citizen Reporter, Awka
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…controversial endorsement of aspirants seems to cause rumbles in the All Progressive Grand Alliance. This is coming on the heels of the release of election time table by INEC in compliance to the laws of the land.
In the eye of the storm on this is the national chairman of APGA, Chief Sir. Victor Umeh OFR. The national chairman who it seems has special interest on some aspirants for Anambra south senatorial zone is not on the same page with the governor. Speculations are ripe that Chief Okey Udeh, a former deputy governor of the state and candidate for house of representatives for APGA in 2011(he lost the election to PDP) has been ordained by the party hierarchy. This decision was taken when it became clear that efforts to bring in Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu to contest in APGA had failed.
However the government of the day is not left out of this. Ichie Mike Ijezie who, as at last count was in ANPP, and is the governor’s inlaw is said to have the blessing of His Excellency. This sounds strange as the governor had repeatedly both in public and private fora restated his support for free and fair primaries. The question is, can the governor’s views hold sway?
 Just some weeks back, stake holders in APGA south senatorial zone resolved, in a crucial meeting, to support only aspirants who are truly APGA by heart. They decried the crop of people who just come into APGA to get the party nomination and still leave the party wether they win or lose.
Such, they say, will never be allowed again.
One aspirant who is unshaken in all this drama is Chief Maja Umeh. A former commissioner for information under Mr. Peter Obi, Chief Maja believes that no matter who is endorsed, power belongs to God. He is a strong grassroots mobiliser and very popular among party faithfuls. He was one of the most trusted aides of the former governor Obi. A very humble and accessible man. Although he is a home grown man who resides more in his village, he strongly takes the governor by his words on free and fair primaries. The die is cast as INEC has rolled out the drums. The surugede dance for the soul of Anambra south senatorial zone has just begun.
 Similar controversy still trail the Anambra north senatorial zone where a lot of heavy weights slug it out. Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, a former senator of the zone under the PDP comes in as Governor Obiano’s anointed candidate. Although he is from the same local government with the governor and his aspiration negates the principle of equity– a platform on which anambra north became governor— he exhumes some air of confidence in getting the ticket. This move seemed not to be in alliance with the general view of the entire Anambra north APGA that the other quarter of the zone should have the senate since one had the governor.
One aspirant whose ambition has really rattled everyone is Chief Dubem Obaze, a former commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters under Mr. Peter Obi. Dubem seems to have a lot of clout and is said to be a complete APGA man since 2001. His profile is not just intimidating but scary. APGA faithful believes he has all it takes to weather the storm to Abuja. His candidacy gave birth to the slogan “APGA for ndi APGA” owing to the fact that senator Igbeke is a new entrant to the party. Information has it that Dubem Obaze’s aspiration transcends beyond APGA as he is said to have friends all over the political parties in Anambra. A free and fair primaries will surely be the answer to this brouhaha.
 APGA has never had a senator in Anambra even though they control the government since 2006. One basic fact is that their candidates in the past were all imported and the party locals rebelled against their imposition. Maybe they will get it right this time.
 In this modern times, a journey of a thousand miles does not begin with just a step but a right step in the right direction. The right step for APGA to take for this journey to Abuja lies in giving honour to whom honour is due.
