Prominent Abia governorship hopefuls missing on INEC list

Three prominent governorship hopefuls in Abia are conspicuously missing on the list of candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Umuahia.

They are the two factional governorship candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Alex Otti and Chief Reagan Ufomba, as well as the former Deputy Governor, Chief Chris Akomas, who was the governorship candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

Otti and Ufomba had emerged from two separate primaries conducted by the factions of APGA in Umuahia.

They were presented with flags by the factional national leaders, Chief Victor Umeh and Chief Chris Uche respectively.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akomas was presented UPP’s flag for the race by Chief Chekwas Okorie, the National Chairman and presidential candidate of the party.

In place of Akomas, INEC published the name of one Chief Mgbeahuru Dike as the party’s governorship candidate.

The development is reportedly causing panic in the campaign organisations of the affected persons.

It was learnt from reliable sources that meetings were ongoing on the next line of action.

When contacted on phone, the Director-General of Otti’s Campaign Organisation, Chief Ahamdi Nweke said ``I am in a meeting, please call me back.’’

The candidates that made the list are Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, PDP, Chief Chikwendu Udensi, Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Anyim Nyerere, All Progressive Congress and Chief Isaac Onyemma, People for Democratic Change.

Others are Chief Gilbert Chikezie, Independent Democrats, Uchechi Chuta, United Democratic Party, Rev. Obioma Onyeaghala, All Congress Party of Nigeria and Chief Anyalewachi Nwaozuru, Citizens Popular Party.

The INEC’s Public Affairs Officer, Abia, Mr Edwin Enabor, said that the commission published the names submitted to it by the political parties.

Enabor said that the commission had no powers to disqualify any candidate.

Meanwhile, the new Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Prof. Seline Oko, has yet to report for duty