The All Progressives Congress (APC) Patriots, Anambra State has called on all stakeholders in the party to close ranks, pull their strength and resources together and work for the common good and victory of the party at the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election, rather than bickering over the recently held APC primary election won by Senator Andy Uba.
The Patriots, who spoke at a press conference addressed by its spokesman, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, alongside two other members, Hon. Chizor Obidigwe and Barrister Chuks Chinwuba in Awka, Anambra State capital, on Wednesday, said they are “saddened by the undue haste by some of our Leaders to discredit the Primaries, even while voting was yet to be concluded.
“As it is, the Primaries have been conducted and a winner announced by the chairman of the committee, Prince Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun State. We, therefore, urge all our party members to accept the outcome, congratulate the winner and work assiduously for us to win the main election.
“Indeed, rather than take recourse to recriminations, this, we dare say, is the time to close ranks, bound together and jointly work as a Team in the foreseeable march to Agu Awka Government House.”
The group noted, “Agreed that some hitches, including late distribution and commencement of voting attended last Saturday’s primaries, suffice to say that it affected all the aspirants in equal measure, as electoral materials got to each LGA at the same time.
“In almost all elections, including those conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, such glitches are easily noticeable; yet, it does not vitiate the outcome of the contest.”
Ogene disclosed that the Patriots has already commenced a series of strategic engagements, “aimed at rallying all of our Aspirants for the arduous, yet achievable task before us: winning the November 6, 2021 Anambra Governorship election.”
The group further congratulated all the aspirants, who they described as “Great Ambassadors” and reminded them of their patriotic commitment to support whosever would emerge as candidate, during their engagement with the aspirants in Abuja before the primary election.
“Our appreciation largely goes to the 14 Aspirants of the Party, who over the last one year laboured to sell the ideals of the APC to ndi Anambra.
“In deed, the sheer quality of our Aspirants, and their individual and collective accomplishments, have put the APC on the great highway to taking over the reins of governance in our dear state, on March 17, 2022.
“In more ways than one, all the 14 men of goodwill who aspired to fly our Party’s flag are GREAT AMBASSADORS of the APC.
“In every contest, however, there are bound to be winners and losers, but in the instant case, we all, as loyal party members, are the Victors. This is because the outcome has only produced our Party’s standard bearer, who we are all expected to assist win the November 6, 2021 governorship stool for the APC.
“As it stands, the Party and its rank and file have spoken. We, therefore, congratulate our flag bearer, His Excellency, Senator Andy Uba on his nomination.”
The APC Patriots, had on April 27, 2021 convoked an all-encompassing Interactive Session which featured all the leading aspirants at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The event, which had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, ministers, key party stakeholders and leading political figures from the South east, did not end without the aspirants pledging to support any of them that emerges through a process that involves the majority of party men and women from the state.
