…Says its electoral misdemeanour*
The a Anambra South Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) for the next month’s general elections, Chief Chris Ubah has described moves by some of the contending aspirants in the party’s ticket for the coming elections, including Iyom Uche Ekwunife as undemocratic, unlawful and an affront on the nation’s Electoral Act.
Ubah who addressed journalists yesterday on his return from Abuja after the successful clearing of his name as well as all others who abided with the court verdict and decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to recognize the Chief Ejike Oguebego-led Anambra state executive of the party.
INEC on Wednesday put the crises to rest when it insisted on recognizing only the list of candidates submitted by the Oguebego executive. Among this list was that of Chief Ubah (Anambra South), Senator Annie Okonkwo (Anambra Central) and Prince John Emeka (Anambra North). Some of the House of Representatives candidates include Chief Charles Odedo (Idemili Fed Constituency), Chief Emma Nweke(Awka Fed Constituency), George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha), Chief Ceasar Ofoma(Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo), and Chief Tony Offia(Aguata) amongst others.
Ubah disclosed that he was going to kick start the campaign of the party in a grand style from Tuesday, covering all the 21 council areas of the state. According to him, “I am starting our collective campaign like a family which we are, on Tuesday. We will cover all the seven LGAs each in the North Senatorial zone, South zone and Central zone like a family. All our(PDP) candidates will win landslide. We are recovering all our lost chances and opportunities back from the other mushroom parties in the state. Anambra is a well known PDP state. We are popular because we have always been on ground.
“On the issues of those who do not want to go home and abide by the decision of the court and INEC on the nominations, I urge the police and INEC to move in and call them to order. Let them enforce discipline because it will amount to political and electoral fraud and misdemeanor for a non-candidate to be going round the state distracting others in the name of campaigns. I have no doubt that INEC and the Police are very capable and equipped to tackle them.”
He sees indiscipline as the biggest threat to the next month’s election. He therefore urge the various parties to caution their candidates and members and supporters on political discipline, self restraint and respect for others.
Ubah reiterated he was going to the National Assembly “to make good laws and attract development and our due share of democracy dividends to my people”. That he want to be a model to other representatives on how to speak and stand in the gap for your people.
He was going to donate all his earnings, emoluments and all accruals to the seven councils making up his constituency. That a committee to supervise the spending would be set up by the people and that he is going to run a people-driven policy for the period.
On the prevailing relationship between him and his elder brother Senator Andy Ubah who incidentally is the incumbent senator, Chief Ubah described it as cordial. He believes it was time for him to replace the incumbent who had 4 years ago replaced their elder brother, Senator Ugochukwu Ubah.
He admitted on -going consultations and rapport between his camp and all other camps for all to bury the hatchet and forge ahead for a resounding success at the polls. He said, “we have been talking and discussing. It has been positive. We need everyone in the family. Every vote and support counts and matters a lot”.