…Cautions Nwosu
As the war for Imo Action Alliance Guber ticket between Leonard Uzoma Okolienta and Uche Nwosu thickens, the Forum of Gubernatorial Candidates has sued for peace, adding that the crisis is a distraction to the peaceful conduct of free and fair elections in Imo, come 2019.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, the Chairman of Forum of Gubernatorial Candidates, FGC in Imo State, Mazi Elias Chukwuemeka, argued that the right of a National Chairman of any party ends after submission of names to INEC.
He maintained that it the prerogative of candidates whose names have been submitted to INEC to withdraw either willing or by natural occurrences such as death.
Mazi Elias Chukwuemeka who is also the Imo State guber candidate for National Interest Party, NIP blamed INEC for the crisis in Imo State Chapter of Action Alliance, adding that INEC cannot give two people certificate of return.
He cited the case of Adams Oshomole who submitted the name of Hope Uzodinma to INEC and that of 2011 elections where POP declared that Imo State has no guber candidate in that year’s election.
The Chairman revealed that over ten guber candidates in the state have concluded plans to challenge the National Chairman of A A and INEC in Court if Okolienta’s name is removed from INEC list without due and proper process
He stressed that Leonard Okolienta cannot be forced to withdraw from the race, pointing out that the A A National Chairman’s comments that Okolienta is not a serious candidate is baseless and a ruse.
Mazi Chukwuemeka Elias advised Uche Nwosu to settle amicably with Leonard Okolienta instead of parading himself as the A A guber candidate in the state.
“I am blaming INEC for the crisis in Imo Action Alliance party. INEC cannot give out two certificates of return for one position. The right of a National Chairman of the party or the party supremacy ends where substitution begins. It is only the candidate that has prerogative right to withdraw his candidacy, check the case of Adams Oshomole, and that of PDP in 2011′, Mazi Elias concluded.
The NIP guber candidate sued for peaceful, fair and transparent elections in Imo State, come 2019 which will usher in victory for his party in the state.
He said his party has started door to door campaign which according to him is the best strategy of winning the election.
The guber candidate who has been declared as the best among those jostling for the plumb job come 2019 reiterated his desire to give Imolites education without years from primary to tertiary level which is one of his key-point agenda.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
