Anambra 2021: Crisis looms at Action Alliance over candidate’s substitution

[By VICTOR NZE]

Crisis appears to be looming for the Action Alliance (AA) should the party emerge victorious at the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

This follows contradicting positions openly stated by the party hierarchy over its authentic candidate for the Anambra poll.

Despite several denials by leadership of the Action Alliance that the aspirant who won its primary, John Okechukwu remains its candidate, the new list released by Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC) confirms the contrary.

And although parties involved are yet to approach the courts for a final say, observers believe the contenders are merely waiting for the outcome of the election proper to avoiding ‘wasting money’ over protracted litigation that will ensue in the event of an AA victory.

National leadership of Action Alliance (AA), had even as at last two weeks, denied Ben Etiaba as its candidate for the upcoming November 6, 2021 Anambra state Governorship election.

It said the claim is misleading and should be disregarded by faithful across the 36 States of the Federation.

Instead, it said the authentic candidate for the election remains John Okechukwu.

Ben Etiaba, however, emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Anambra after he dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to the new INEC list.

The politician is the son of Virginia Etiaba, a former deputy governor of Anambra.

Earlier, in August, National Secretary of the party, Vernimbe James, it would be recalled, in a statement, ‘vehemently; disclaimed what he described as ‘misleading; claims that the party had perfected plans to field another candidate as flagbearer in the November 6 election.

“The only legitimate and authentic Action Alliance governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra state election remains Okechukwu.

“It’s also in the public domain that the said Etiaba has been a member of All Progressive Congresses (APC) and resigned his APC membership on 4th August 2021, which the time for substitution of candidates by political parties has since elapsed on 30th July 2021, according to INEC time table and schedules of activities for Anambra state governorship elections.

“It’s not possible for him to have replaced the candidate of Action Alliance while been a member of APC as at the time of substitution of candidates by political parties.

“We vehemently disclaim one Etiaba as the candidate of Action Alliance for the upcoming Anambra state Governorship elections because he is not a member of our party.”

INEC, Thursday, confirmed 11 substitutions by political parties as contest for the November 6 Anambra State Governorship election gears up.

A statement by the INEC’s Commissioner, and head of Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye, said the timetable and schedule of activities approved by the electoral umpire on January 18, provided for withdrawal/substitution of candidates, in line with Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

“Accordingly, by the deadline of July 30 fixed by the commission, seven governorship, and 11 deputy governorship candidates, were substituted by 11 out of the 18 political parties,” he added.

Full list of substituted candidates and their political parties:

Accord Party (AP), with Maduka Godwin as governorship candidate and Obi Ifeatu as his deputy

Action Alliance (AA), with Etiaba Chukwuogo Ben as governorship candidate and Uchero Nwao as his deputy.

African Action Congress (AAC), with Nwankwo Chidozie as governorship candidate and Nwaebili Clare as deputy

Action Democratic Party (ADC), with Maxwell Chukwujama as deputy governorship candidate.

All Progressives Congress (APC) had Chukwuemeka Okafor as deputy governorship candidate

Allied Peoples Movement (APM), submitted Onyejegbu Okwudili and Onuora Letitia as substituted governorship and deputy governorship candidates respectively.

Ezenwafor Victor and Ojukwu Chukwuma as National Rescue Movement (NRM)substituted governorship and deputy governorship candidates Igbo Gozie as deputy governorship candidate for Peoples Redemption Party.

Uzoh Godwin as governorship and Chira Obiora as deputy governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Okechukwu Eze as deputy governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party.

Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) submitted Okonkwo Francis as governorship candidate and Jessie Uka as his deputy.

The substituted candidates for All Progressives Ground Alliance (APGA), “in line with the court order”, is Charles Soludo, as governorship candidate, and Ibezim Gilbert, as his deputy.

INEC said the final list of candidates would be published on October 7.