By Ezeocha Nzeh
The National Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raked in N315 million from the sale of expression of interest and nomination and expression of interest forms to about 14 aspirants who have shown their interests to seek the party’s nomination ahead of the November 6 governorship election in Anambnra state
The AUTHORITY check reveals that at the close of sale and return of forms on Tuesday, all the 14 aspirants returned their forms and declared their readiness for the party’s governorship election primary, which is scheduled for June 26
The aspirants purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms at N22.5 million each
The aspirants however expressed different concerns over the mode of primary that could be adopted by party
While some aspirants have urged the party to settle for a consensus candidate, other, who rejected the idea, maintained that a direct primary would be more democratic, following the recently concluded party’s membership registration and revalidation exercise, where it boasted of registering over 1m member in the state
The number of aspirants and amount received from the sale of forms for the election is however less compared to what the party received in 2017 Governorship election when over twenty aspirants bought the nomination and expression of interest forms.
The 14 aspirants, who are expected to appear before the APC screening committee before the June 26 primary include Sen. (Dr.) Emmanuel Andy Uba, Dr. George Nnadubem Moghalu, Reverend Godwin Okonkwo, John Bosco Onunkwo, Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, Paul Izuchukwu Orajiaka and Sir. Azuka Okwuosa.
Others are MComrade Maxwell Okoye,, Chief Ben Etiaba Jnr, Col. Geoffrey Onyejegbu (rtd), Amobi Nwokafor and Edozie Madu.
Meanwhile, the APC has promised to provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants, insisting that it has no preferred candidate
Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanduoehehenoted that the State executive of the party and not the National Caretaker Committee will determine the mode of primary to be adopted for June 26 party primary.
“The National Executive Committee (NEC) of our party has directed that the State Executive and not the National Caretaker Committee will determine the mode of primary election for Anambra State.
“For the Caretaker Committee, we are going to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants. We have no anointed or preferred candidate. The party is set to work with anybody that emerge from the party primary come June 26.”
South west PDP move to reconcile with Fayose
In its resolve to reconcile all aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South west zone, leaders and party stakeholders, led by the National Vice Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Chairman, South-West region, Taofeek Arapaja; led other zonal executive members to visit the Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose in Lagos.
The meeting, which was held at Fayose’s Ikeja, Lagos residence, it was gathered is in continuation of efforts to seek support for the unification of the party, which has has been in crisis in the South west zone following disagreement that trailed the PDP South west zone’s congress.
Fayose, who welcomed the party leaders at his residence, expressed his happiness with the true reconciliation that is taking place, adding that he is open to actions that will move the party forward.
Leader of the team, Arapaja, who thanked Fayose for welcoming the new executive members, stated that they were all winners in the PDP South-West Congress that took place in April.
He further added that the peace and unity of PDP were paramount to him and other executive members, noting that it is a necessary move in preparation for coming elections.
He said the new development, which is a step in the right direction, was an assurance that PDP will surely be in the position to rescue Nigeria from sinking further come 2023.
Other executives at the meeting were zonal secretary, Owokoniran, Chief Bose Adedibu, South-West Woman Leader; Gbenga Kukoyi, Legal Adviser; Mr. Rasaq Adewoyin, Financial Secretary, and Chief Olusanya Atofarati, Publicity Secretary.
Also in attendance were Engr. Adedeji Doherty, Chairman PDP, Lagos State; Rev. Bunmi Jenyo, former South-West Secretary; Prince Daisi Akintan, former Zonal Secretary; Mrs Funmilayo Ogun, former member of South-West caretaker committee, among others, were also in attendance.
FFK warns Nigeria, Army Chiefs, as Serbian Mladic bags life sentence from ICC
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, has described the recent life sentence handed over by Bosnian Serb Army chief, General Ratko Mladic as a message to both retired and serving Nigerian Army chiefs, following allegations of extra – judicial killings in several parts of the country .
Mladic, a Bosnian Serb, who led the army of Republika Srpska, VRS, during the Yugoslav war was convicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Court, ICC and sentenced to life in prison.
He was found guilty of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Reacting to the ruling, Fani-Kayode warned that the “confirmation of the life sentence of Serbian Gen. Ratko Mladic at the International Court for Criminal Justice (ICC) should send shivers down the spines of those in charge of the security forces in Nigeria that have committed similar crimes over the last six years.
“Mladic never thought he would be brought to justice but he was. He committed war crimes & crimes against humanity such as ethnic cleansing, mass murder & genocide between 1992 & 1996 during the Yugoslavian civil war in which over a hundred thousand defenceless civilians including women & children were butchered.
“25 years later he was brought to justice & he is paying for his barbaric crimes. The commanders of the Nigerian Army & the political leaders that ordered mass murder, ethnic cleansing & genocide in our country will suffer the same fate sometime in the future.
“No matter how long it takes, justice will be done and they will pay a terrible price for their barbaric behaviour and their cruelty, evil and wickedness,” the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain stated.
