The Nigeria Democratic Congress has charged all its aspirants contesting various elective positions in Anambra State to shun violence and electoral malpractices during its primary elections and instead embrace sportsmanship and a peaceful contest of popularity.
This charge was given at a crucial meeting held in Awka, on Thursday, where the party briefed aspirants on guidelines and expectations for the primaries scheduled for Friday, May 29.
Addressing the aspirants, the State Chairman of the NDC, Ikem Uzoezie, described the NDC as “currently the most viable political brand in Nigeria”.
Uzoezie urged the aspirants to conduct themselves with decorum, stressing that the primaries are meant to be a contest of ideas and a test of popularity, not a battleground for violence or quarrels.
Uzoezie said, “The primary is a test of popularity by the aspirants and should not be turned into violence. We assure all the aspirants of a level playing field, and we urge them to allow the best candidates to emerge for next year’s general elections in the overall interest of the party.”
Also speaking, the Acting Chairman of the electoral panel, Uchenna Okogbue, told the aspirants that the party expects a peaceful and credible process that will position Anambra State as a shining example for the nation.
Okogbue noted that with the party’s sole presidential candidate, Peter Obi, coming from Anambra State, all eyes are on the state to deliver a transparent and orderly primary election.
“The primaries are a call to service and not a ‘do or die’ affair. The party will pursue consensus candidacy where possible, but where that fails, Option A4 would be adopted for the election.
“We assured the aspirants that the process would be transparent and conducted at designated venues across all 21 local government areas of the state.”
In his remarks, the Secretary of the electoral panel, Chukwudi Igwe, further admonished aspirants and their supporters to exhibit the values of the party’s presidential candidate, warning that failure to do so would be a major disappointment to the nation.
Prominent figures at the meeting included Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Tony Nwoye, serving House of Representatives members, including Lilian Orogbu, Uche Okonkwo, State Assembly members, INEC representative, Odinaka Okoroafor, State Secretary of the party, Arinze Udeze and other aspirants, including Ebuka Onunkwor.
The primaries are expected to produce the party’s candidates for next year’s general elections, including state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate.