*Chris Uba in a surprising visit to Obiano
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From Melvina Nwando/ Chuks Collins Awka
There was palpable tension presently all over the various political camps in Anambra state, especially within the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)barely four weeks to the 2015 general elections as the Supreme Court this morning commences hearing the suit brought by the Anambra state chapter of the party led by Chief Ejike Oguebego, chairman, and Chuks Okoye as the Legal Adviser seeking an order for the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)and the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to recognize any other candidates for the coming general elections other than those that emerged from its primary.
The process which was filed and served on the Alh Adamu Muazu-led PDP headquarters and the already variously embattled Prof Attahiru Jega’s INEC about two weeks ago and was listed for first hearing this morning had set tongues wagging in the state on whether it could be conclusively heard and done with before the March 28 elections kick-off. Whether it was a ploy by some highly placed party members to again pave way for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to have an easy clean sweep in the coming elections.
The situation became more confused when the arrow-head in the whole PDP saga, Chief Chris Uba who is also the Anambra South senatorial candidate from the Oguebego camp paid an in scheduled visit to the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano on Friday. The governor who is of the APGA received him very warmly and their discussion which lasted for about 25 minutes was not made public.
Oguenego had filed Notice of Appeal, Motion for stay of proceedings/execution as well as the Motion for abridgment of time on its suit before the Supreme Court.
The apex court was to determine who are the legal and validly nominated candidates of the party to stand for the next month’s general elections for the party in the state.
In his Motion on Notice pursuant to Sec 17 of the Court of Appeal Act 2004 and Order 4 Rule 6 of Court of Appeal Rules 2011 the Anambra exco was seeking an order for stay of execution of the Court of Appeal verdict of Feb 6,2015 in suit ref CA/A/737/201 PDP vs Oguebefo and 3 others, pending final determination of appeal brough by Oguebego and Okoyr at the Supreme Court.
They also were seeking an order of injunction restraining the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission or any of their agents whatsoever from implementing that Court of Appeal verdict of Feb 6,2015, pending the determination of the appeal before the Supreme Court, and or any other order the court may deem necessary.
They also applied for an order for accelerated hearing of the appeal on order not to render the outcome a mere academic exercise.
Oguebego exco had held party primaries where Uba, Sen Annie Okonkwo and Prince John Emeka emerged the Anambra South, Central and North senatorial candidates respectively. While Charles Odedo(Idemili), Emma Nweke(Awka), Val Ayika(Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia), Julius Ofoma(Nnewi), Tony Offiah(Aguata), Benny Obaze(Ogbaru), Princess Ify Anazonwu and others emerged candidates for the House of Representatives.
The suit, if it succeeds would put paid to the political ambition of Dr Andy Uba, Proncess Stella Oduah and Iyom Uche Ekwunife and others. Incidentally Ekwunife and Oduah were showing great sense of popularity among the people in the state.
