By Okey Maduforo Awka .
Ahead of the conduct of local government primary elections of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, Anambra state, there are strong indications that the incumbent Council Chairmen would be returned unopposed.
As at the day of the screening , a total of 154 persons paid for the indication of interest forms at the cost of N1 million each and after the primary elections the eventual 21 candidates for the main election would pay the mandatory N5 million.
Giving the indications is the outcome of the delegate primary elections across the 21 local government areas of Anambra where fresh aspirants lamented what they described as a systematic plot by the party to deny them fair ground to contest.
Some of the fresh aspirants who spoke to reporters this Monday narrated how some aspirants were sponsored by the incumbent Mayors who emerged as the three statutory aspirants and would ultimately step down for the incumbents on the day of the primary elections proper.
“What is happening is indeed surprisen to all of us who are genuinely contesting for the tickets of our party and we know that some party stakeholders are aware of this plot “
“Some of us were screened out last Saturday in Awka for one flimzy reason or the other and those unserious aspirants were cleared so that it would be an easy walk for the incidents to emerge as candidates”
The protesting aspirants who would not want their names on print expressed fears that should their names be mentioned it would amount to anti party and would be disciplined.
They equally alleged that there may have been a secret agreement between some leaders of the party and the incumbent Mayors where automatic tickets were promised them should they deliver the Governor at the last Gubernatorial election in Anambra.
But state Chairman of the party Barr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye dismissed those claims as unfounded adding that the party believes and respects the internal democracy which it holds dear and sacred.
“Theses are unfounded stories and those making such claims are faceless and come to think of it , we provided guidelines for the screening exercise and all the aspirants were very well informed so if an aspirant claims that he or she was unjustly screen out let the person file a petition to the Appeals Committee with proofs and evidence”
“As for the plans to return the incumbent Mayors, we as a party are not aware of that and the party challenges anyone to show proof because APGA is one family and in the spirit of be your brothers and sisters keeper we have provided a level play ground for a free fair and credible contest ” he stated.
