Delegates’ list tears APGA apart in Anambra

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is in crisis in Anambra State, following the party’s decision to select three candidates as delegates, leaving out the executives in the 326 wards in the 21 councils.

They are to join the local government chairmen, Councillors and their deputies.

The party, The Nation learnt yesterday, gave the Anambra South ticket to one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, to displace former Deputy Governor Dr. Okey Udeh and the ex-Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.

Chieftains and members have threatened to quit APGA if the leadership allowed such an anomaly.

Udeh, it was gathered, was to vie for the Anambra South ticket with Ndukwe before his decision to quit the party.

The Nation also learnt that APGA had concluded arrangement to present Ukachukwu as its Anambra South candidate, leaving out Udeh and Ndukwe, who had bought the nomination and expression of interest forms.

Besides, members are challenging the leadership on the decision to appoint Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), when he is still in power.

They claimed the party constitution said no sitting or elected official should hold such a position, adding that Obiano’s appointment violated the constitution.

The Nation gathered that the National Secretary, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, has been suspended.

His suspension, it was learnt, followed his call for the resignation of the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, because of his senatorial ambition. This, it was gathered, angered the party leadership, hence their decision.