…As Chairman defends Ekwunife defection from PDP
OSIBEROHA OSIBE
Senator Uche Ekwunife whose election into the Senate for Anambra Central Senatorial District was nullified by Court of Appeal which ordered fresh election stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat January 11, 2016 urging both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to work with APC members and supporters to enable her return to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly.
Ekwunife who spoke ahead of the Februart 23 rerun expressed optimism that she would win the poll if fully supported.
She spoke as the State Chairman of APC, Emeka Ibe, a lawyer defended her defection from PDP to APC , saying it brightens the chances of the APC to win the poll.
Speaking to newsmen Monday January 11, 2016, shortly after Ekwunife stormed the party Secretariat to announce her defection, the State Chairman, confirmed that she has registered as a member of APC at her Nri Ward in Anaocha Local Government Area, adding that her visit was to formalize her declaration and entry into APC
Ibe pointed out that so far, Ekwunife remains the only aspirant to show interest in the race and promised that the party would give her the ticket if no other person aspires for the ticket, while assuring a level playing ground for all who eventually enter into the race.
Though he could not confirm to newsmen whether Ngige withdrew formally fro9m the race in writing to allow Ekwunife or any other candidate to step in, Mr. Ibe said that the constitution of the party was met in that direction.
While tipping APC as the party to beat in the Anambra Central Senatorial District election, he stressed that the combined forces of security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was used to harass and intimidate APC by the past administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The APC Chairman did not see the suffering being experiences across the states of the federation by the masses as a minus for APC, saying President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC Federal Government has done well in the area of laying proper foundation for development, fighting corruption and insecurity.
