TheCable

APC Patriot, a group under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state, has blamed the loss recorded by the party in Abia bye-election on imposition of candidate. 

Chimaobi Ebisike, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the Aba north/south federal constituency bye-election which took place on Saturday.

Ebisike polled 10,322 votes to defeat his closest rival, Uzor Kalu of the APC, who polled 3,674 votes.

According to a statement jointly signed by Dozie Ikedife and Victor Afam Ogene, its co-ordinator and spokesman respectively, the group warned the APC in the state to abandon any plan to field an unpopular candidate in the governorship election in Anambra in November.

“The obvious lack of transparency, which led to the disqualification of the other aspirant in the primaries, Dr. Nwokeocha Ogbonnaya Eze, was a precursor to the poor showing of the APC in the bye-election,” the statement said.

“Being a younger brother of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, the feeling is rife that Mascot’s emergence as candidate was tantamount to an imposition.

“We, therefore, restate our earlier call, made on March 11, 2021, to the effect that we shall, using all lawful means at our disposal, resist any attempt to anoint any candidate.

“On the contrary, we reiterate our resolve to take over the governance of Anambra state by unveiling, at the appropriate time, a candidate that would be acceptable to majority of Anambrarians.”

The group said it has concluded preliminary interactions with some of the candidates ahead of the governorship election.