By Onyekachi Eze
The confusion that has continued to trail the conduct of last Thursday’s primary election of the Imo State chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC to select the candidate, has continued unabated with the ruling party in quagmire over the candidate’s name to be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Trumpeta recalled that controversy became the name of the conduct where not less than four persons are claiming to be the authentic ticket bearer.
From what this newspaper learnt, the panel for the primaries led by the chairman of the committee declared Frank Ibezim the winner while another faction of the team led by the secretary said it was Ifeanyi Araraume.
Other contestants in the race like Athan Achonu and Chidinma Uwajumogu are also raising eyebrows claiming either victory or irregularities.
Our correspondent in Abuja learnt that the Caretaker Committee of the party is seriously taken aback on what to do following several claims trailing the conduct of the exercise. As INEC deadline approaches, the party is not yet settled on what to do.
While it was disclosed that the party is being careful about who to submit as the flagbearer, aggrieved persons may resort to court to seek redress.
Trumpeta further gathered that INEC deadline for submission is tomorrow and the party not yet ready on the name to be submitted.
Meanwhile, the Imo North Primary elections of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the October 31st, 2020 Okigwe Zone Senatorial bye-election has come and gone, but not without leaving diverse reactions.
Recall that Imo State chapter of the APC last Thursday conducted its Primaries for aspirants contesting for the Okigwe Senate seat.
Outcome of the exercise since then was characterized by claims and counter claims of victory by virtually all the contestants.
The major persons with diverse results claiming victory were Sir Frank Ibezim, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Hon. Chidinma Uwajumogu, and Senator Athan Achonu.
Trumpeta Newspaper gathered that both Ibezim and Araraume were announced winner by different observers.
Same was applicable to Uwajumogu and Achonu who have rushed to a national television and Abuja party office respectively, to register their displeasure on the conduct of the electoral exercise.
However, it was further discovered that Ibezim’s emergence was wholeheartedly welcomed by the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, Prince Marcellinus Nlemigbo, Chief Tony Chukwu, among others on that line-up.
For Araraume, he is believed to be on Okorocha’s line-up, of Dan Nwafor leadership.
Furthermore, the outcome of the Primaries is said to have opened fresh supremacy battle in the State, where the aspirants see the Governor as being highhandeness and efforts trying to impose an unpopular candidate on the party.
In what appears to be a fresh twist, Mr. Ibezim, a supposed anointed candidate of Uzodinma has been accused of being a card carrying member of the Accord Party.
Chidinma Uwajumogu while on AIT program on Sunday disclosed that Ibezim is not an APC member, but still a full fledged Accord Party compliant.
Relaying what happened on Thursday’s election, the sister to the late Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu decried that Governor Hope Uzodinma is bent on imposing an unacceptable candidate on Okigwe people.
Also, a Press Release signed by Dan Nwafor led Exco is alleging that Araraume remain the authentic winner of the September 3, 2020 APC primaries.
According to them, they stated that both Ibezim and his supporters are making jest of themselves as APC won’t field a non member as its candidate.
Against this backdrop, contestants have relocated to Abuja seeking for recognition and or outright cancellation rather than crowning Ibezim who they perceived as an Accord Party man.
