Political parties in Anambra on Wednesday reacted over the list of governorship candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
Some of the party chairmen, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka commended the INEC while others condemned the list.
The Maxi Okwu-led factional of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said the commission failed to carry out its function satisfactorily.
Okwu, whose faction produced, Dr Chike Obidigbo, as APGA governorship candidate for the Nov. 16 election, said that INEC should tell the world which court order it obeyed.
“Two things; INEC said they were complying with the law. I don’t believe that INEC is law-abiding, but let us go on with that impression for now.
“They said in the cases of APGA and PDP, they acknowledged challenges and problems, and said they are obeying a court order.
“My question is which court order are they obeying in the case of APGA? It is a poor legal statement. Let them tell us which court order they acted on.”
In his reaction, Chief Mike Kwentoh, the state Chairman of APGA, which produced Chief Willie Obiano as its governorship candidate, commended INEC for a good job.
Kwentoh said that Obiano stood tall among other candidates of the party, noting that it was not expecting anything less from the INEC.
He, however, appealed to Obidigbo to sheathe his sword and embrace peace in the greater interest of the party.
“INEC’s list came as we expected and anything other than that will have been a great surprise to us, we congratulate Obiano and INEC too, for listening to the voice of the majority.
“The new developments will only make things easier for us as we do not have to battle with issues of persons with credibility questions.
“I am appealing to Obidigbo to realise his mistakes and turn around to work with the party for victory on Nov. 16.”
Mr Okwu Okwu, the Media Assistant to Mr Tony Nwoye, who was dropped for Mr Nicholas Ukachukwu, as PDP governorship candidate by INEC, said that the matter was already before the court.
He said that he would not comment further on the matter for now.
The Ejike Oguebego-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who produced Sen. Andy Uba, and the lawmaker representing Ihiala state constituency, Mr Chitos Ohazuluike, declined comments on the matter.
The Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Sam Oraegbunam, said that the list did not come to the party as a surprise.
“We are not surprised at the INEC‘s list because Labour Party has just one candidate; it is only PDP and APGA that should be concerned with the development.
A resident of the state, Mr Christian Beluchukwu, expressed shock over the list as some of the candidates he had expected were not listed.
