Chief Obiora Okonkwo
Anambra 2021: ZLP substitutes candidate, gives ticket to ex-PDP aspirant, Okonkwo
Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) has substituted its original candidate for the November 6 Governorship Election in Anambra State, as the party has now handed the ticket to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary aspirant, Chief Obiora Okonkwo.
ZLP had in late June, elected Chief (Comrade) Uche Ugwoji, unopposed as its candidate for the Anambra governorship poll in a voice vote mode adopted by the party during its governorship primary election held in Awka, Monday, June 28.
Okonkwo, it would be recalled, handed his resignation letter to the National Chairman of PDP, dated July 24, citing the litany of court cases against the party following its June 24 governorship primary, as reason for his action.
However, decision was only made public last Friday.
Okonkwo an influential member of the party, who is also the Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), had claimed the PDP will not allow him actualize his governorship aspirations while on its platform.
Okonkwo placed second in the PDP primary election behind the eventual winner, Ozigbo, by less than ten votes.
While Ozigbo secured 62 votes to clinch the ticket, Okonkwo scored a total of 58 votes to place second in the primary organized by the PDP-recognized Ndubuisi Nwobu-faction.
The substitution made by the ZLP was completed, weekend, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Okonkwo, who name would be on the ballot as candidate of ZLP for the November 6 election in Anambra State, also submitted to INEC, Dame Jessie Balonwu, a former member of the House of Representatives and former Commissioner for Education in Anambra State as his running mate in the election.
Balonwu, who is from Onitsha in Anambra North Senatorial District, had served as Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) between 2005 and 2007.
She is the wife of the late Chief PO Balonwu, SAN.
