Why I withdrew from UPP Primary-Chudi Offodile…As Biafran group slams UPP, Chidoka over manipulation
www.odogwublog.com reports that a member of House of Representatives and an aspirant to the just concluded United progressive Party (UPP) Primary convention in Anambra state, Hon Chudi Offodile has given manipulation of delegates list as reason for his withdrawal from the exercise.
Offodile announced his withdrawal from the race at about
11am during delegate’s accreditation.
He complained of alleged falsification of delegates list by
officials of the party, stating that he had no confidence in the exercise and
called on his supporters not to participate in the primary which produced
former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita
Chidoka as the party’s candidate for the November 18 governorship poll.
Despite Ofodile’s warning to his supporters not to
participate in the congress, our reporter authoritatively gathered that some of
his loyalists defiled the warning and voted for him (Offodile).
After the primary election, Chidoka polled 1,222 votes to
defeat his opponent, Hon Chudi Offodile who got 87 votes in the election that
was held at Emmaus House, Awka.
The chairman Local Organizing Committee of the primary
election, Chief Chris Uche who announced the result declared Chidoka the winner
of the party primary.
A total of 1,473 votes were cast while 19 of it were voided.
Chidoka in an interview with journalists after the
announcement of his victory said Anambra and UPP have taken the first most
important step in bringing forth a new generation of leaders in the state.
He said the party has accomplished the historic landmark of
nominating the first post-civil war child to carry the mantle of leadership as
governor of Anambra state.
According to him, "I am stepping forward as the face of
a new generation with the historic mission of interpreting Ndi Igbo to Nigeria
and interpreting Nigeria to Ndi Igbo.
"Your decision
today has triggered the future conversation of Anambra state and indeed, of
Nigeria. Today our fate and voice as a people have been resoundingly sent
across to every part of our country.
You have demonstrated that very important resolve to
practically engage with vigour to actuate a nation where no man is
oppressed."
He urged Biafra agitators not to panic as his leadership has
a solution to the problems facing the southeast zone, which is the cause of the
agitation.
Chidoka, while commenting on the earlier withdrawal of his
co aspirant, Offodile, said the exercise was free and fair and that Offodile
shouldn't have resigned over delegates list as the list has been on the website
of the party for two months.
Meanwhile, a group, Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN),
a political arm of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which hitherto, supports
the party, alleged that the UPP primary was marred with fraudulent processes
and irregularities.
According to MOBIN’s
Director General, Rita Ebelechukwu Anigbogu, popularly known as Ada Biafra, the
spirit of self determination, fairness and equity which IPOB stands for were
lacking in UPP primary election as a result of alleged doctoring of delegates
lists.
“What attracted us to
UPP was its ideology of self determination, referendum, equity and fairness to
all. But we did not see it in the primary. Although, we see all of them as
Biafrans, it is only Chukwudi Offordile that has the Biafra ideology. But he
withdrew because of the doctored delegate list.
“We did not see those
ideology and Biafran spirit on the predetermined winner, Osita Chidoka. He
earlier bragged to us that he would have his way whether we like it or not. And
that was what eventually happened. This is high level of criminality”.
Our reporter also gathered that the UPP primary
accreditation was marred by violence which led to the death of one delegate.
The deceased who was identified as Uwakwe Maduabuchi, ward
chairman of Owerre Ezukala in Orumba South local government of the state was
said to have slumped and died after foaming in the mouth and nose.
Uwakwe was said to be asthmatic and had inhaled teargas shot
into the air to disperse some youths who had arrived the accreditation venue
shooting into the air to disrupt the process after a disagreement emanated from
the names on the delegate's list.
Why I withdrew from UPP Primary-Chudi Offodile…As Biafran group slams UPP, Chidoka over manipulation
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Rating:
No comments: