Anaocha 1 Constituency: Azubuike never participated in primary election – Nkechi Ogbuefi 

By Ifeizu Joe

There is growing confusion in Anambra state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress ( NDC) following the dispute between aspirants to the party’s ticket for Anaocha 1 Constituency.

The Constituency which is the immediate Constituency of the Party’s Presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi has been neck deep in controversy as the serving member of the Assembly Nkechi Ogbuefi insisting that she is the candidate of the party for the coming election.

She contended that she took part in the primary election of the party and was duly nominated as candidate of the party for the Constituency.

Ogbuefi who is the Deputy Minority leader of the Anambra state House of Assembly alleged that one Azubuike Okoye has been parading himself as candidate while in actuality, he neither purchased the form of the party , did not take part in the screening process nor did he participate in the primary elections of the party.

“I joined Mr Peter Obi when he went to the Labour Party and also joined him when he became member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)”

“We had our primary elections and it was resolved that all serving members must be given automatic ticket and I, like other sitting members were given our nomination forms and we took part in the primary elections of the party.

“After the primary elections I was returned and duly nominated as candidate for Anaocha 1 Constituency” she narrated.

Ogbuefi contended that Hon Azubuike Okoye , after buying forms in APGA and taking part in the primary of House of Representatives in APGA has been parading himself as candidate of NDC for House of Assembly.

Continuing Ogbuefi said that; “Another candidate who heard that I was returned went to Federal High Court Abuja and because it is an originating summon, the party NDC came there to affirm me as candidate of the party.

“The Court ultimately affirmed me as the winner of the primary elections of the party.

“The party also stated that at no time did Azubuike Okoye’s name was submitted as candidate.

“He did not purchase the form of the party and he did not take part in the screening of aspirants of the party and did not participate in the primary elections.”

She stated that the Chairman of the party in Anambra, Chief Ikem Uzoezie said that she should ignore Okoye that Peter Obi personally sent her name to him as candidate.

Efforts to reach Ikem Uzoezie on phone proved abortive as several calls by reporters to the Chairman was not acknowledged as well as the text and WhatsApp massages.

Reacting to the allegation by Ogbuefi, Hon Azubuike Okoye stated that there is no need exchanging words with people or responding to social media reports adding that in the next one week the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) would publish the list of candidates for the election.

“My brother I cannot say anything now and I cannot say I am the candidate of the party and I don’t want to join issues with those people claiming to be candidates of the party in Anaocha Constituency 1 until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) publishes the list of candidates sent by the party to the Commission.

“So I want the reporters to remain calm because if I say that I am the candidate and INEC publishes another name what sense does it make,” he said.