NYSC: Group urges PDP to disqualify Anambra governorship aspirant
A pressure group in Anambra, called the Independent Leaders Forum, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disqualify Dr Godwin Maduka from contesting its governorship primary election.
The forum gave the advice in a statement issued in Awka on Wednesday by its President, Mr Obinna Okafor.
It alleged that Maduka, a governorship aspirant on the platform of the party, did not possess the National Youth Service Corps Certificate.
“The forum’s major interest is to resist anything, both pre and post primary election, that will bring disunity among the party members,” the group stated.
It argued that although Maduka claimed to be a medical doctor, with multiple doctoral degrees, he lacked the NYSC Certificate that would qualify him to hold public office.
“Also, he should be disqualified for grossly violating an agreement reached by the aspirants to give a stipulated amount of money to delegates,” the statement added.
The group also alleged that Maduka violated Section 221 of the Constitution, which forbids the sponsorship of an aspirant by any group other than his political party.
“Assuming, without conceding, that it was Maduka Foundation that gave money to delegates on his behalf, let us refer to Section 221 of the Constitution.
“It says that ‘No association, other than a political party, shall canvass for votes for any candidate at any election or contribute to the funds of any political party or to the election expenses of any candidate at an election’.”
The group further alleged that the aspirant decided not to campaign and sell his manifesto, because he hoped to buy people’s votes with money.
In a reaction, the Director General of Maduka Campaign Organisation, Chief MacJeo Onwudinjo, described the allegations as false and baseless.
Onwudinjo, therefore, urged the public and party faithful to discountenance them.
According to him, Maduka remains in the race for the governorship and cannot be disqualified.(NAN)
