Anambra: INEC declares Uba, Emeka, Okonkwo PDP senatorial candidates

As controversy continues to trail the list of candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the senatorial election in Anambra State, the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) team that monitored the primary of the party has showed that Chris Uba, John Emeka and Annie Okonkwo won the primary election for the Anambra South, Central and North senatorial districts.
This would put to test the resolve of President Goodluck Jonathan, who had declared in Lagos, during the inauguration of his presidential election campaign, that his administration and all the ministries, departments and agencies must abide by the rule of law and follow due process.
According to a certified true copy of the committee’s report obtained by our correspondent from INEC, the PDP primary in Anambra, conducted on December 7, under the leadership of Ejike Oguebego, was very peaceful and hitch-free.
The report further stated that, “Generally speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party (primary) did not come short of expectations as it took place peacefully in all the senatorial constituencies in the state. The result of the primary was generally accepted by the members of the party as the correct expression of their collective wishes and desires. It would also be pertinent to say at this juncture that, that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra State Chapter, did comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), as well as their laid down congresses/primaries guidelines and the constitution.
According to the preamble of the PDP guidelines for primary elections 2014 it is clearly stipulated that:
“Candidates of political parties will only emerge through primary elections duly conducted and monitored by INEC (Section 87(1)(a).
“Political parties are no longer allowed to change or substitute candidates whose names have been submitted to INEC, except in the case of death or withdrawal of candidates (Section 33).
The INEC committee in its report to the commission further stated that the PDP adopted open ballot system to elect their senatorial candidates and during the primaries the voting process was simple and straightforward: nominations were called for, after which delegates queued up and voted for candidates of their choice before counting and recording of scores. The contestant with the simple majority of votes cast was declared the winner. However, where only one contestant was involved, delegates still voted accordingly as well.