In a surprising turn of events, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has stepped back from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries taking place at the Women Development Centre in Awka, Anambra State. His decision comes amid a chaotic scene during the primaries on Saturday, which were marred by delays and allegations of misconduct.
The primaries were supposed to start at 9:00 AM, but by 7:00 PM, delegates were still waiting for accreditation. Tensions escalated when thugs, allegedly associated with one of the candidates, Nicholas Ukachukwu, blocked delegates from entering the venue. Eyewitnesses reported that some police officers appeared to be working with these thugs to disrupt the process, preventing delegates without Ukachukwu’s identification from gaining access.
The situation grew tense around 10:37 AM when Ukachukwu’s security personnel and suspected thugs took control of the hotel entrance, halting the accreditation process. This chaotic environment ultimately led to Okonkwo’s withdrawal from the race, following the earlier exits of Chukwuma Umeoji and Paul Chukwuma.
With Okonkwo’s departure, four candidates are left competing for the APC ticket: Nicholas Ukachukwu, Johnbosco Onunkwo, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu.
In his resignation letter, dated April 5, Okonkwo expressed his disappointment with the election process. He stated, “This decision to withdraw from the race was a difficult but necessary one due to developments that conflict with my principles and values. The project is not worth risking the lives of my supporters, among other reasons.”
Despite stepping back from the race, Okonkwo affirmed his commitment to serving the people of Anambra State and contributing to the country’s growth, expressing gratitude for the support he received from his political allies and the public.
As the remaining candidates move forward, many are left to wonder what the future holds for the APC in Anambra amid these troubling developments, the party is known for.
