Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu was on Tuesday confirmed as the authentic candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming November 26 governorship election in Anambra State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rose from its screening exercise yesterday to announce
In a statement issued Kayode Idowu, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega said the decision was in line with the ruling of a federal High Court that ruled that Ukachukwu should be reorganized as the candidate of the party.
“For the PDP, the Commission resolved to list Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu as the governorship candidate in accordance with the latest order as delivered by the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/296/2013 – Nicholas Chukwuejekwu Ukachukwu vs. Dr. Tony Nwoye & 3 Others”.
The statement said the decision to make public the names of the candidates was in line with the provisions of Section 31 (3) of the Electoral Act 2010, as amended.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has today, September 24th, 2013, published the Form CF001 (Personal Particulars of Candidate) of candidates nominated by political parties for the November 16th Governorship Election in Anambra State. The comprehensive list as signed by the Secretary to the Commission is attached and has been placed on the Commission’s website” Idowu added.
A total of 23 out of the 25 existing political parties nominated candidates for the governorship and deputy governorship slots. Two political parties, namely the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had issues with the candidates they intend to sponsor before the closure of nominations on September 17th, 2013.
However, while the Federal High Court in Awka eased the contention over APGA’s nomination by vacating its order directing the Commission to accept two governorship candidates from the party, the issue of the PDP is still a problem as all the three candidates including; Chief Tony Nwoye, Senator Andy Uba and Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu are still laying claims to the ticket..
INEC further advised all the political parties to ensure that only those on the list published by it are allowed to conduct electioneering campaigns warning that any violation of this rule amounts to an electoral offence and security agencies are urged to intervene as such.