From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Edozie Njoku, has cautioned prospective aspirants against participating in an “illegal” primary to be conducted by Victor Oye.
Oye, in a statement by his National Organising Secretary, Ifeanyi Mbaeri, said primaries would be conducted on August 2 and 3 to elect new candidates to replace withdrawn state assembly and governorship candidates.
Mbaeri pegged nomination fees for new aspirants at N500,000 for Houses of Assembly and N5 million for governorships.
He added that the deadline for submission of INEC Forms EC9 and EC13 of newly nominated State House of Assembly and governorship candidates to APGA national secretariat was Saturday, August 6 by 6 pm.
“In strict compliance with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC timetable and schedule of activities for 2023 general election, the All Progressives Grand Alliance has fixed fresh primaries to hold on August 2 and 3, 2022 respectively for the nomination of fresh candidates to replace withdrawn State House of Assembly and governorship candidates,” Mbaeri had said.
Responding in a statement, Njoku told APGA members to ignore the exercise and align with him.
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“Yes, most of the candidates have identified fully with the authentic structure of APGA, which is the one we lead.
“So what he is planning with the illegal fresh primary is to grab people from the PDP and APC to collect their money and illegally fill those gaps created by candidates who have identified with us as the authentic leadership of the party
“But it will not happen because we have alerted INEC on it and we have made them (INEC) to know that they are the cause of the illegality being perpetuated by Oye in APGA.
“If not, why would the Supreme Court get up and declare who the authentic APGA chairman is, and INEC is still allowing someone else to parade himself and conduct primaries, this is very unfair and against the rule of law. We have, however, written to INEC on this
“The aspirants should be old and literate enough to follow and understand what has been going on in the party.
“They know what is right, so if they allow themselves to be fooled and tricked by Oye, that is their problem
“That will not in any way affect our plans because we know that INEC will definitely wake up from their slumber.
“When they do, you will see things change immediately, our candidates will begin to roar.
“I am not worried because I am convinced that the truth has come and within a short time INEC will realise itself and obey the Court order.
“For now, they are yet to take any stand, but very soon the whole truth will come out,” Njoku assured.