26th August, 2013
Nigeria’s All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday elected Chief Willie Obiano, as its torch-bearer for the 16 November governorship election in the eastern Nigerian state of Anambra.
Obiano, an Executive Director of Fidelity Bank Plc., hails from Anambra East in Anambra North Senatorial zone.
He was elected in the governorship primaries in Awka.
The Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Chief Martin Agbaso, said Obiano polled 817 votes out of the 1,076, while Rep. Uche Ekwunife, got 150 votes.
Chief Paul Odenigbo had 49 votes; Emeka Nwogbo, 22 votes; John Nwosu, 18 votes; John Emeka, one vote; while 16 votes were voided.
Chief Patrick Obianwu had earlier stepped down for Obiano, while Mr John Emeka’s withdrawal was turned down.
Obianwu, whose withdrawal brought the number of candidates to six, said he stepped down to keep the dream of Anambra North zone producing the next governor alive.
Delegates to the primaries rated conduct of the election as most peaceful in the state in recent times and a true reflection of the wishes of the party members.
Dr Edozie Aroh, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, said that the party had shown that it was still strong in the state.
Aroh said that APGA was poised to retain the post of the governor in the next dispensation.
Also reacting, Mr Chinedu Obidigwe, the council Chairman of Anambra East, said he was elated that the winner had warned that the youth of Anambra would resist attempts by any party to feature more than one candidate.
Gov. Peter Obi, who addressed the party supporters, urged them to sustain their support for APGA to retain the governorship seat.
Meanwhile, the primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state would hold on Sept. 2.
The contest for the APC gubernatorial ticket would be between Mr Godwin Ezeemo and Sen. Chris Ngige.
The third aspirant, Chief Annie Okonkwo, had earlier stepped down for Ngige.