Revealed: Why APC screened Ekwunife out of Anambra Central poll

“Our deep concern is her record which showed that she dumps political parties at will, leaving the parties in its wake factionalized – PDP, APGA, PPA, back to PDP, and now to APC. “

Facts emerged why the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening committee for the Anambra State Central Senatorial District has rejected the candidature of Uche Ekwunife, who recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the now-ruling party.

According to the report of the screening, the committee nailed former Senator Ekwunife for dumping political parties at will which contravenes Section 4(3) of the 2014 Guideline for Nomination of Candidate for Public Office. 

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According to the report, “our deep concern is her record which showed that she dumps political parties at will, leaving the parties in its wake factionalized - from the Peoples  Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), back to PDP or vice versa and now to APC. 

“She is more or less a fair-weather-hen. Therefore, her antecedent contravenes Section 4(3) of the 2014 Guideline for Nomination of Candidate for Public Office. Caution is valour."

But, Senator Ikeazor Sharon Olive was committed member of the party who has been with the party from defunct All Nigeria Progress Peoples Party (ANPP), a women leader of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and woman leader interim National Executive Committee of APC.

In the committee  findings, it said: “Ikeazor Sharon Olive was a member of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a woman leader of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and woman leader interim National Executive Committee of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“She is also a member of our Board of Trustees (BOT). Her trajectory shows loyalty, perseverance and consistency to the emergence of our progressive party.

“It is our considered view that she fulfilled Section 4 of 2014 Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for Public Office and all relevant sections of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In conclusion, she is qualified, and, therefore, we recommend her for nomination as the candidate of our great party for Anambra State Central Senatorial District.”

The committee – made up of Mr Osita Okechukwu (chairman), Alhaji Garba Umar (secretary),

Barr. Abdullahi Aliyu (member), Hon. Mrs. Bunmi Oririowo (member) and Lady Mary Aipoh (member) – cited Ekwunife’s history of dumping political parties.          

The screening committee, convened on Monday, was mandated to take into consideration, full information on aspirants as relates to their educational qualification, political experience, working experience, team spirit and integrity.

It was asked to scrutinize the profile of aspirants regarding integrity and fulfillment of all the relevant sections of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2010 Electoral Act and Guideline for Nomination of candidates of our great party, the APC.

To aid its assignment, a score board analysis of the parameters set out above was made, and members scored all aspirants based on biodata/education (20 points), experience (public/private, 20 points), integrity and personal character (40 points), and party loyalty and support (20 points). 

The guidelines set a pass mark of 51 points for the aspirants.