By Joe Chukindi, Awka
There is an unhealthy calm in Anambra State over the Supreme Court verdict which earlier today sacked Senator Andy Ubah, Stella Oduah and all the members of House of Representatives from Anambra who won their seats on the platform of PDP.
While some persons in the camp of APGA and the favoured PDP camps are happy about the judgment, others who remained neutral in their judgment insisted that the Judgment has put Anambra in the news again, for the wrong reason.
Anambra PDP for years have been known to be operating factions, and always fielding more than one candidate for every elective position in the state.
The recent judgment will see Chris Uba replacing his elder brother, while Emeka John will take Oduah’s seat. In the house of representatives, Hon Tony Nwoye will be replaced by his twin brother who contested the election on the other faction of the same party. Nwoye is said to have long fallen out with his twin brother, and both have been at loggerheads.
Meanwhile, Senator Annie Okonkwo will be fielded by the PDP for the March senatorial election in Anambra Central, shutting out Osita Chidoka, Peter Obi and others who have been jostling for the ticket.
The APGA has however maintained that both PDP and APC will not field candidates for the election as the grace period for substitution of candidates have elapsed.
A press release by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Obiokoye Ifeatu reads, “Gentlemen, once more I want to assure you that neither APC nor PDP will participate in the Rerun. As a member of the ÀPGA Legal team I am in possession of a letter written by INEC on the 7th of January 2016 to the APC.
“Similarly the Court of Appeal had ordered a fresh election in Sokoto State House of Assembly, APC sought to field a fresh candidate…..INEC wrote this letter directing that they cannot as the statutory period for substitution of candidates had lapsed. Like I said a copy of the letter is in our possession. Please have a good sleep and keep smiling
