Anambra guber poll: ADC’s Patrick Obianyo steps down for John Nwosu over health concerns

Patrick Obianyo, the governorship of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Anambra, has stepped down ahead of the November 8 election.

Obianyo, a former chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra, announced his withdrawal from the race during the ADC governorship substitution primary election held on Friday in Awka, the state capital.

According to NAN, the primary, which was monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saw John Nwosu elected as the new ADC governorship candidate.

Obianyo cited the “burden of the aspiration” and a spike in his blood pressure due to the stress of the position as reasons for his decision to step down.

Obianyo expressed relief in handing over the baton to Nwosu, whom he described as a more capable hand.

“Please stop calling me ‘His Excellency’. That appellation has stopped today,” he said.

“I am not regretting; rather, I am happy that I am handing over the baton to a more capable hand.”

Nwosu, a former governorship aspirant on the platform of the Labour Party (LP), was elected unopposed through a voice vote and returned by Anayo Arinze, the deputy national chairman of the ADC.

Nwosu described the occasion as “an important junction in the efforts to rescue Anambra”.

“I am glad to be part of the larger ADC family. Much work remains to be done,” he said.

“Let us go and get the job done. We will partner with ADC, her alliance and coalition partners to form a formidable opposition that will dislodge the incumbent administration.”