The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the party has not made any definite pronouncement on the Anambra state governorship primary until the Appeal Panel submit its reports.
There is, however, palpable tension in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the candidacy of Hon. Tony Nwoye, who won the primary election held in Anambra state on the 26th of August 2017, even as the party insisted on the report of the Appeal Panel.
When contacted for reaction, APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said “It is also important for us to recognize that there are procedures for everything. The procedure for primary within our party as you know provides for certain windows for people who are dissatisfied to lay their grievances or complaints before the appeal panel.
“But we have not received the report of the appeal panel and so we await for that panel and we don’t know what they will recommend. However whatever is the report of the panel we will consider it and then take a decision, we are confident that we will be able to resolve whatever the issues are and then go into the election. We are also confident that we are going to win the governorship election on November 18.”
The Appeal Panel set up to investigate the grievances that arose from the primary, having received a petition from Sen. Andy Uba, who also contested the ticket summoned the winner, Tony Nwoye, for questioning today in Abuja.
But speaking with newsmen after his appearance before the appeal panel, Nwoye said the panel asked him about some people they described as student union leaders who came to disrupt the primary and beat up the delegates.
“I said it was not true that no single member of NANS, former or students was part of the primary election, that all the delegates that voted were statutorily, the delegates expected to vote. And this is a primary election that was adjudged the best in the history of Nigeria and the partisan politics in the country.
“So, I made it very clear that there was no room for manipulation, nobody was bastardized or intimidated to vote and no evidence of inducing voters with money.”
When asked whether he has any fear that the Appeal committee might nullify his victory, Nwoye said: “I’m not God but I know these are party men and women. I told them that at this point in time the Anambra people have spoken as far as party ticket of APC is concern. That mandate, I think by the special grace of God should be left alone. It is not about Tony Nwoye but about these people who suffered all the night, I felt for them, I pity them“.
On whether he has reached out to other aspirants who contested the ticket with him, Nwoye revealed that all other aspirants except Senator Andy Uba are on the same page with him.
“Andy Uba is the only aspirant who refused to talk to me. I called him, I sent text to him, I even got to his house but he refused to open gate for me but for the other aspirants I have met with all of them.”
Tony Nwoye had earlier threatened to work against the party should he happen to lose against Senator Andy Ubah at the primary. He repeated the same threat today.
Meanwhile 247ureports.com has gathered that the political godfather to Tony Nwoye, Chief Arthur Eze, may not be having the best of relationship with the President. According to a source at the presidency, President Buhari is not comfortable with Arthur Eze to the extent that the President had barred Arthur Eze from visiting the Presidential villa. President Buhari is reported to “want nothing to do with Arthur Eze“.
