Anambra Guber: Tukur’s Letter To Jega Stirs Controversy

A letter from the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Bamanga Tukur, to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, appears to have stirred a fresh controversy as it concerns the party’s governorship primary in Anambra State.

Tukur’s letter, dated May 8, 2013, is an introductory correspondence to INEC notifying the commission of certain changes the PDP had effected and contains Ejike Oguebego as the Anambra State chairman of the party.

Meanwhile, the governorship primary of the PDP in Anambra State had produced two candidates, Andy Uba and Tony Nwoye, in two separate exercises conducted by two factions.

While Uba emerged victorious at the primary conducted by the INEC-backed Oguebego-led faction, Nwoye was elected by the Ken Emeakayi-led faction that has the support of the national leadership of the PDP. The Tukur-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has already confirmed Nwoye as the governorship candidate of the PDP.

But Tukur’s letter, entitled ‘Forwarding New Developments in the Composition of National Executive Committee (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reads as follows:

“In view of some important developments that led to changes in the executive officers of our party, I write to forward to you the list of our National Executive Committee (NEC) members, as attached, for your kind perusal and guidance.”

The letter, personally signed by Tukur , LEADERSHIP gathered, was part of the evidence Oguebego provided as proof before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, when he approached the court to stop the Emeakayi faction of the PDP from presenting Nwoye as the governorship candidate of the party.

I want to see the letter – Tukur’ aide

But Tukur’s media assistant, Oliva Opala, when asked about his principal’s response,  said it was difficult for him to comment on the said letter since he did not have the opportunity to see the document.

He said, “For now, all I can tell you is that I cannot make a categorical statement or comment on that because the document you are talking about is not in my possession, neither is it available for me to sight;  if only you can do us a favour by bringing the letter to us so that we can know whether or not such a correspondence emanated from the national chairman of the PDP”.

Court orders INEC, PDP to accept Andy Uba

Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has ordered both the PDP and INEC to disregard the results of the ward and state congresses conducted by the Emeakayi-led faction of the party, and directed INEC and PDP to accept the candidacy of Dr Andy Uba.

In the suit instituted by Oguebego and Gilbert Okoye (as plaintiffs) in which they listed the PDP and INEC as first and second defendants respectively, Justice Hyeladzira  Nganjiwa ordered as follows:

“That the 1st and 2nd Defendants (PDP and INEC) are to accept the results that emerged from plaintiffs’ ward and state congresses, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction to set aside the interim order

“That the 1st and 2nd Defendants are hereby restrained from accepting the wards and state congresses results from Ken Emeakayi-led PDP Executive from Anambra State pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction and the motion to set aside the interim order made on the August 6, 2013.”

The case has been adjourned till Friday for ruling on the earlier order the court made on August 6, 2013.     

Uba shuns PDP as Nwoye gets certificate of return

The national leadership of the PDP yesterday handed its certificate of return for the Anambra governorship election to Nwoye just as Senator Uba did not appear before the party as ordered on Tuesday.

Ubah was invited alongside his brother - Chris,  Oguebego, Chief Benji Udeozor, Mrs. Tonia Nwankwu, but none of them showed up for the parley.

Speaking with journalists after receiving the certificate of return from the national chairman of the party, Nwoye described his emergence as an act of God.

He, further, said that INEC cannot stop him from contesting the election, noting that “it is the national chairman of the party and secretary that present a party’s candidate for an election. Once a party presents a candidate, INEC cannot object to it.”

APC to conduct primary in Anambra

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC,  has said that it will conduct governorship primary in Anambra State.

APC national secretary, Tijani Tumsah said the party’s primary will hold in Awka, the state capital on Monday next week.

This development has ended speculations that Senator Chris Ngige had been endorsed as the consensus candidate for the APC. Ngige will now face Tony Ezeemo who had earlier rejected the adoption of Ngige.