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Tag: APGA

  • PDP, APGA, LP, Accord gang up against APC

    PDP, APGA, LP, Accord gang up against APC

    A GROUP of lawmakers, under the aegis of the National Unity Group (NUG), has announced plans to block the moves by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to shut down the Executive through legislative blockade, including the delay of this year’s budget.

    The group comprises members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Labour Party (LP) and Accord (A).

    It chided the APC for directing its members to block all bills from the Presidency.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the National Assembly, the NUG described the APC’s call as unpatriotic, bad and anti-progress.

    It warned those in the House of Representatives to present its views instead of personal opinions.

    The NUG promised that the APC would be “robustly resisted” on all fronts in the House.

    Its erstwhile spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, is a member of APC, having defected from the PDP. The deputy, Victor Ogene, is a member of APGA.

    Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Platueau), who read the statement in company of other members, said the multi-party group was committed to good governance, national stability an Pan-Nigerian consensus-building.

    The statement said: “Any attempt to tamper with the 2014 budget and, hence, the Transformation Agenda of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, would be met with robust resistance.

    “No Nigerian anywhere will stand by and watch an opposition, with mischief and power lust, to frustrate the hopes of tens of millions of Nigerians with regard to health care, schools, universities, agricultural grants and projects, foreign investment promotion, water supplies, road works, utilities and other infrastructure, including electricity, solar street lights and a dozen other necessities and obligations of Nigeria, as a responsible nation whose duties are enshrined in Chapter II of the 1999 Federal Constitution.

    “If this budget is not passed soon, there will be hunger in the land and the APC plan for anarchy will have succeeded.

    “We, in the NUG of the House of Representatives, wish to add our voice to those calling for peace over the tension in Rivers State, as mentioned above, and in Ogun State as well as Ekiti, where APC factions have violently engaged themselves as sitting APC governors try to foreclose challengers. We are also hoping the situation in Kwara, Borno and Kano, occasioned by APC thugs forcibly taking measures against the PDP.

    “Given the wrong premise upon which they are operating, we dispute the bogus claims of majority status by APC and call on our colleagues in the opposition to always strive to advise their colleagues to obey judicial pronouncements, no matter how unpalatable to their political dreams and ambitions…”

    Section 68 is clear about elected members and their parties – you don’t cross-carpet when and how you like.

    “That further, we call on those purporting to act as spokesmen of the House to always endeavour to wear the toga of nonpartisanship and to always be sure what they are feeding the public are based strictly on House resolutions rather than their partisan ends.

    “That we fully commend the leadership of the House for the skilful handling of a difficult set of circumstances and continue to urge them to continue to put the interests of the nation ahead at all times.

    “As a multiparty platform, the National Unity Group, NUG, stands ready always to defend the Nigerian constitution as a matter of priority no matter whose interests are offended”.

    On the issue of budget consideration and approval, Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) responded saying the document would go through the normal legislative process.

    “The budget would go through the Committees and then presented to the Committee of the Whole where the majority would decide its fate. It is about a simple majority and we are ready to ensure that the majority will carry the day.

    “Since it is the budget, it will no longer require a simple majority, it is not an issue of two third. So, the possibility of somebody trying to block the decision of the House will not arise.

    “But if they attempt we will have to show them that it is the majority that decides what happens in the House”.

    When asked about the numerical strength of the group made of four Parties, Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi) refused to give specific figure, saying PDP remains in the majority.

    He also said that there was no defection and that those that felt that they have defected were only on ‘astral travel’.

    He said: “The constitution is clear on cross-carpeting, you don’t cross carpet the way you want it, there are guidelines. Moreover, we only have colleagues that have expressed interest to join other Parties, so the PDP is still intact.

    “Talking about the Party in the majority, even without adding members from Labour, Accord and APGA, the PDP is way above two-third. We are in clear majority, we just don’t brandish numbers.

    “We are challenging APC to publish the names of its members

    The PDP number, Accord, APGA and Labour in the House is way above two-third.

    “There is no merger between the PDP and the other three Parties, we are just united for national development”.

    Kaze, in conclusion said the commitment of the group to the Nigerian Project is irrevocable, “We accordingly invite House APC members, our colleagues – and by extension the other Parties in the House – to always strictly seek to add value to our national quest for democracy and development.

    “We, therefore, call on our colleagues whose sense of duty and patriotism remains unquestioned to reject the latest APC “directives” as unpatriotic and bad anti-progressive. They must reject all efforts to destroy the Nigerian economy,” he added.

  • ‘Agbaso was not impeached because of corruption’

    ‘Agbaso was not impeached because of corruption’

    All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain Chief Martin Agbaso is the elder brother of the impeached deputy governor of Imo State, Sir Jude Agbaso. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on the Okorocha Administration, the allegations of bribery against the former deputy governor, the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other issues. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there. 

    What is the latest on the investigation of the bribery allegation against former Imo State Deputy Governor Jude Agbaso by the EFCC?

    In the third week of March, last year, my brother, Mr. Jude Ikechukwu Agbaso, the former deputy governor of Imo State, was accused of receiving N458 million bribe from a Lebanese contractor.

    Then, I, in very clear terms, said that my brother had nothing to do with the bribery. It was Rochas Okorocha who approved the contract, awarded it, paid the said contractor N1.3 billion of Imo State money without due process, without even an award letter or any form of advance payment guarantee. So, the curious thing at the point was, why would a man who did all this, who got all the benefits that were unprecedented from the governor, go to the deputy governor who was away in India on official assignment, and give him a bribe of almost 40 per cent of the money collected? That didn’t make sense to me. And, I said that, we, as a family, would do every thing humanly possible to get to the crux of the matter; we would do everything to find out who took this money, where the money is domiciled and who the beneficiaries were.

    Then, the news broke. The EFCC, after putting us through grueling, painful, eight months of investigation, finally cleared my brother or any Agbaso for that matter, of any wrong doing, of any involvement whatsoever in the alleged bribe scandal. Again, this man went to the Imo State House of Assembly and said to them: “I am a Lebanese contractor. I have taken N458 million of Imo State money and given to the deputy Governor.” They kissed this man and told him to walk away and began hunting a deputy governor who knew nothing.

    Okorocha said that, as long as Jude Agbaso remained the deputy governor, his life was at risk; that Agbaso could kill him. This is someone whose deputy governor was impeached, someone who got into office on the same ticket as you, was impeached in the most brazen manner, malicious and mischevious manner, in a show of shame that this country has never seen before.

    Are you saying that the impeachment did not follow the due process?

    Before the impeachment panel could even sit to look at the papers, a report had been sent to the House of Assembly. Before the House of Assembly could finish the process, a deputy governor nominee had been selected. Before the man could say Jack Robinson, a new deputy governor was sworn in and yet, the governor said he didn’t know anything about it.

    Was there an agreement on one term between you and the governor?

    There has been a catalogue of anomalies committed by the administration of Rochas Okorocha. You are just determined to destroy my name in the eyes of the Imo people and Nigerians. You had an agreement with me that you were going to be governor for four years and we both signed this agreement, which was witnessed by the National Chairman of the APGA. And you made this pronouncement in churches, in halls, in stadia; everywhere you said to people that you had an agreement with Martin Agbaso that you would be governor for one term, and after that, the governorship would go to Owerri Zone, which rightfully should produce the next governor.

    Instead of doing that, you are looking for a way to tarnish my image. But, it’s not going to work because there is a God out there, who rules in the affairs of men and women. You can’t continue to mislead the people, and lie your way through life as if it’s business as usual.

    Could you shed more light on the so-called EFCC’s clearance of Jude Agbaso

    For the first time in this country, somebody was accused of something and the person wrote to the EFCC, the ICPC to come and investigate him. He said: “If you find me guilty, jail me. But, if you find me innocent, say it so I can clear myself. Now, the job of the EFCC is to investigate the matter. When they are through with investigation, if they find you wanting on any of the allegations, then, they take you to the the court for prosecution. The `EFCC has concluded this investigation and found nothing. The money, which was said to have been given to you as bribe, was lodged in two accounts; one in Dubai and one in Lebanon. We know where these monies are. The EFCC has confirmed that Jude Agbaso did not commit the crime. Joseph Dina himself has said in a written statement that he did not give him bribe. If Jude Agbaso committed any crime, the EFCC would be prosecuting him in court.

    What is your next step now on the matter?

    First of all, I owe the people of Imo State a big apology. I was misled by Governor Rochas Okorocha. I did not know his antecedents before I went into an agreement with him. By everything he has done in Imo State, he has shown that he is a person who does not honour agreement.

    What I saw was a philanthropist, who trains other people’s children. And I believed that, if he could do that, when he gets into a position of authority, our people would be better off. Everything I did was to propel Imo State forward. Because I was already in court for three and half years, fighting a legal battle over elections I won in 2007, I was not prepared to go into an election in 2011. This guy came and, with his normal talk-talk, I thought we had a good candidate. Please, Ndi-Imo, I am sorry for bringing this man. He brought himself and I helped him. I thought it was the best thing to do at the time. But that is the limit of a human being. I could not see tomorrow.

    Now, he is saying that Jude Agbaso was incompetent. How can you say that a man is incompetent when his boss, the governor, was the one who brought the contractor, paid him, awarded the contract without any advance payment guarantee or letter of award.

    This payment did not go through the ministry at all. By the time the commissioner who was the deputy governor knew what was happening, the money had been paid. In fact, the first N200 million that was given to that man was paid in cash. So, how do you say that such a man is incompetent?

    Is it true that the governor paid you for the APGA ticket in 2011?

    I expected an apology from Rochas Okorocha. Yet, instead of apologising to someone who invested heavily in his campaign, and to the young man who has worked with you, you try to destroy him. Instead of apologising, you’re even undermining the letter which exonerated him. The most shameful thing that has come out of Rochas Okorocha’s mouth is that he paid Martin Agbaso for the APGA ticket. I gave Rochas Okorocha my word that I would help him become the governor. I funded his campaign. I brought people to give money. I don’t want to mention their names so I do not embarrass them. How can someone who he is now owing money for funding the campaign be the same person he gave money for ticket?

    Everybody saw me canvassing for votes in every village. My house was the command headquarters for the elections; everything was done in my house. What thank you do I get? You try to destroy my family name. And you see him singing church choruses and quoting the bible. When it’s convenient, he quotes the Qu’ran. Who is he to keep trying to mislead Nigerians and assume that we are foolish?

     

  • APGA NEC passes confidence vote in Umeh

    APGA NEC passes confidence vote in Umeh

    •Confirms Peter Obi as National Leader

    •Warns judiciary against ‘destabilising’ democracy

    The embattled national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, yesterday got thumbs up from the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) for a job well done.

    The party’s NEC passed a vote of confidence in him and the APGAnational Secretary Alhaji Sani Shinkafi and gave them awards for distinguished leadership.

    Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State was confirmed as the party’s national leader and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) in succession to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

    He too got a distinguished leadership award from the party’s NEC which met yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, four days after a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja voided Umeh’s claim to the leadership of the party.

    Instead, the court declared Chief Maxi Okwu as the rightful chairman.

    Okwu was absent at yesterday’s meeting as was Dr. Tim Menakaya, whose reelection as a member of the Board of Trustees was stood down on account of his support for Okwu.

    The APGA NEC threatened to sue Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for defecting to the APC after winning the 2011 election on the platform of APGA.

    The motion for the confidence vote in Umeh was moved by Mr Sampson Olalere, the Oyo State Chairman of the party, and seconded by John Sokari of Bayelsa State.

    It was unanimously adopted.

    A committee was set up to review the constitution of the party and list of members approved by NEC.

    Also ratified at the meeting was the appointment of 30 members of the party’s BOT.

    On the board are 24 men and 6 women.

    Among them are: a former Commissioner for Women Affairs in Imo State, Mrs. Ann Dozie; Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Jnr, Chief Martin Agbaso, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, Dubem Obaze, Chief Okey Ezeibe, Nasiru Abubakar, Alhaji Yusuf Mohammed, Ambassador Chris Giwa, Ambassador Odi Nwosu, Boniface Alu, Dr Mike Adams, Shola Oyedele, Dom Akpan, Ziggy Azika, Wale Dunkene, state chairman of Nassarawa and Bashru Garuba.

    Umeh said at the meeting that the national leadership of APGA had already filed an appeal against Wednesday’s judgement.

    He wondered why the Federal High Court assumed jurisdiction on the matter when the Court of Appeal had earlier adjudicated on the issue in dispute.

    Governor Obi pledged that under his leadership of the party, APGA would be rebuilt as a national party and positioned to win more states particularly in the Southeast.

    The NEC rejected the Federal High Court judgement and warned that the judiciary should exercise restraint and avoid truncating the current democratic dispensation in the country.

  • APGA, Labour Party clash in Nnewi North repeat election

    APGA, Labour Party clash in Nnewi North repeat election

    •ANSIEC forced to cancel election

    The rescheduled local government election by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) has been cancelled for the second time in a week following violent clashes by the two political parties in the area.

    The parties are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party (LP).

    As at 9am yesterday, all the electoral materials had reached the venues for the council polls, while security operatives were on ground to forestall any impending danger.

    The council election was first called off on January 11th, following the non availability of materials and violence that marred the election in Nnewi North.

    As a result, the Acting Chairman of ANSIEC, Hon. Sylvester Okonkwo, cancelled the election and rescheduled it for yesterday, yet to no avail.

    The contest was between Okey Offor of APGA and LadyIfeoma Ofodeme of Labour Party for the Chairmanship seat of Nnewi North.

    However, after sharing the materials for the election yesterday, members of the Labour Party began protests, alleging that APGA had already decided on who to declare winner even without the election.

    As a result, members of the two parties went on rampage by scattering election materials and holding the adhoc staff of ANSIEC hostage in the presence of security operatives.

    Though at Uru ward, Umudim, the situation was a little under control, members of the two parties were not calm but rather threatening fire and brim stone if the election was allowed to hold, which forced ANSIEC to call off the election until further notice.

  • Council poll: APC heads for Appeal Court

    Council poll: APC heads for Appeal Court

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has gone to the Appeal Court in Enugu State to challenge the dismissal of its motion to stop the January 11 local government election in Anambra State.

    The case was dismissed at the Federal High Court, Awka.

    The party, which earlier backed out of the election on the grounds of fake voter register and non-publication of the list of candidates, prayed for the following reliefs:

    An order compelling the first defendant (Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC) to reverse the voter register and display same for public scrutiny.

    An order of perpetual injunction restraining the second defendant (Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission-ANSIEC) from conducting the election scheduled for January 11 or at any other date until the the issues raised in the originating summons have been addressed.

    APC also sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the first and second defendants, their servants, agents or privies from conducting or organising the election on January 11 or at any date pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons dated January 6.

    The party’s Interim Publicity Secretary in the state, Mr. Chukwuma Agufugo, said in a statement in Awka yesterday:

    “You are aware that the registered parties in the state, with the exception of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), agreed at the Marble Arch Hotel, Awka, on January 6, not to participate in the election.

    “Events in the state on Saturday justified our position and the indigenes complied with our decision not to take part in the election.

    “Government and ANSIEC’s show of shame has vindicated us.

    “When our party opted out, we told Nigerians that starting from a bad voter register, to non-display of the three variants of register they intend to use and non-publication of the names of candidates, ANSIEC was poised to rig the election.

    “What was witnessed on Saturday- absence of electoral officials and materials in 90 per cent of the booths, late arrival of same in the few wards without result sheets, meant the selection process was concluded days before Anambra people were called out.

    “We wish to inform candidates, aspirants and opposition parties that we are heading for the Appeal Court to get this undemocratic misdemeanour corrected.”

  • Violence, protest, apathy mar council polls in Anambra

    Violence, protest, apathy mar council polls in Anambra

    •It’s peaceful, Obi says

    •Markets, shops open for business

    •We have been vindicated—APC

    Violence, protests and apathy yesterday characterised the Anambra State local government election. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was the sole party in the race.

    A few candidates from the opposition parties used the election to gauge their popularity.

    The violence was triggered off mainly by APGA members who were protesting what they called their exclusion from the election by Governor Peter Obi and the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said that what transpired during the election was a vindication of its position that it was doomed to fail.

    The party’s Interim Publicity Secretary, Chukwuma Agufugo, said that there was no election at all and that any purported result announced by anyone would never be accepted by the people and genuine representatives.

    He said: “Events that happened throughout Anambra State today (yesterday) justified the position of our party, APC, and Anambrarians complied with our decision by refusing to take part in the so-called scam called election.

    “Reports of events from all the wards and local governments in Anambra State have shown that our people have decided not to join Governor Peter Obi and Sir Victor Umeh in chasing mirages.”

    In Ihiala Local Government Area, violence was the order of the day as election failed to take place because of lack of materials.

    It was the same story in Idemili North and South Local Government Areas considered to be the strongholds of Senator Chris Ngige of the APC.

    At Ezi-Awka Ward 4, officials of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission led by the SPO, Obiora Oyeoka, were held hostage by the electorate for not producing original result sheets.

    Electoral materials were also not made available at Umuoba-Anam in Anambra East Local Government.

    As at 3pm, no single material had arrived his area at Ezi-Awka Ward 4, while at Arroma Junction in one of the polling centres, no single ANSIEC officials was seen. Only security officials were present.

    Angry voters at Umunneoke Polling Centre seized and burnt all the electoral materials with officials of the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) taking to their heels.

    Most of the markets and shops were opened all day for business as traders ignored Governor Obi’s directive that there should be no business activities while the election lasted.

    Vehicular and human movements were also in full swing.

    Some councillorship candidates of Labour Party -Azuka Nwobu; PPA –Chinedu Agumadu; Accord—Ekenechukwu Molokwu; PPN – Ejike Nnonyelu ;and PDP- Onyie Ekwenugo in Awka led their supporters in protesting alleged rigging by APGA.

    They alleged that the electoral officers were card carrying members of APGA and insisted the election would not take place in Awka South.

    Many of the voters who wanted to exercise their civic right expressed disappointment at the non-availability of electoral materials.

    Youths in Awka South insisted that no voting would take place unless result sheets were presented by officials.

    The situation was so bad in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area that the electoral officer there, Mr. Reuben Uzowulu, had to sign an undertaking that there was no election in the community.

    The agreement was signed between him and representatives of the community in the presence of security agents and party agents.

    The demanded that the election be rescheduled for an acceptable day when materials would be made available on time.

    Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, the leader of the Progressives Peoples’ Alliance (PPA) in the state, said that ANSIEC did not do a good job having planned the election for almost eight years.

    He said: “It is really painful that people have called for local government election for the past 16 years and today what we are having is a make-belief. It is heart-breaking.”

    Mr. Uzowulu, told The Nation that electoral materials got to the community late.

    There was also the late arrival of voting materials in Nnewi South, Nnewi North and Orumba North and South as well as Anambra East and West.

    However, Governor Peter Obi described the local government election as peaceful and well organised.

    Speaking at the Umudimakasi polling unit, Amatutu Ward Two, Agulu after casting his vote, Governor Obi, who was accompanied by his wife, Margaret, said reports received across the state confirmed that the exercise was going on very well and people voted freely.

    He explained that the success of the election would impact positively on the future of the state and recalled that several previous attempts to conduct the election were scuttled by some people for selfish reasons.

    The National Secretary, Forum of State Independent Electoral Commission of Nigeria and Chairman Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr. Hannatu Usman Biniyat, hailed the ‘massive’ turn out of voters and noted that it was the first local government election in the country that recorded such a high turnout.

  • Anambra LG election: APGA only party contesting poll

    Anambra LG election: APGA only party contesting poll

    THE ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State remains the only political party contesting the local government election slated for held today in all the 21 local government areas in the state, even as the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) concludes the distribution of elections to all the electoral units. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and other parties under the Aegis of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) boycotted the election. The parties accused the ANSIEC of bias and not following the electoral guidelines. Meanwhile, counsel to APC, Chief Emeka Ngige SAN and Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, counsel for ANSIEC , yesterday engaged in a legal war at the Federal High Court in Awka to stop or not to stop the election. After some legal fireworks from both parties, the presiding judge, Hon justice Isah Bature Gafai stood the matter down for ruling at 5.30pm yesterday. However, at the resumed sitting, the presiding judge ruled that he had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter. Also, some members of the ruling party in the state were seen by The Nation yesterday in full party apparel bringing in some materials for the election in sealed cartons in their various vehicles to the commission. When our correspondent asked one of the staff who took delivery of the sealed cartons, he was told that the cartons contained ballot stamps. Meanwhile, armed policemen were seen stationed at the ANSIEC office with their Hilux Van vehicles, while some of them were outside the premises stopping and interrogating vehicles heading towards the commission’s office. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Emeka Chukwuemeka, said that the essence was to forestall the breakdown of law and order. He said that every policeman in the state police command was involved in the election, and warned that people should desist from fermenting trouble during the election. Speaking yesterday, Anambra State governor Mr. Peter Obi ordered all government offices closed at 12.30pm to give the citizens ample time to prepare for the council poll. When The Nation visited some of the government offices yesterday at 2pm, the premises looked like ghost towns.

  • Council poll: APGA members vow to vote against party

    •Stakeholders’ meeting ends in deadlock

    •ANSIEC distributes non-sensitive materials

    ALL Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidates, whose names were substituted after the primary for the January 11 local government election in Anambra State, have vowed to mobilise their supporters against the party.

    They said they were aggrieved because the APGA leadership dropped them after winning the August 17 primary.

    A stakeholders’ meeting at the Governor’s Lodge at the weekend ended in a deadlock.

    A source, who spoke to The Nation yesterday, said the leaders urged the dropped candidates to support those selected.

    The source said members protested against the party’s decision to drop the candidates, who won the primary election.

    Some protesting councils included Orumba South, Anaocha, Awka South, Awka North, Nnewi South, Ihiala, Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Dunukofia and Njikoka.

    Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) yesterday began the distribution of non- sensitive material, including ballot boxes.

    One of the chairmanship candidates of the Labour Party (LP) in Awka South, Ozo Uche Ifediorah, was sighted yesterday with party members at its office in Awka South finalising his campaign.

  • Lagos APGA reiterates support for APC

    Lagos APGA reiterates support for APC

    The chieftains of the defunctAll Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Lagos State have rejected the leadership of Prince Adeshina Olayokun, saying they are now loyal to the interim All Progresives Congress (APC) leadership. In a statement by Mazi James Opara, and Chief James Alatishe and Alhaji Sheriff Ahmed, the members said that, while Olayokun belongs to the APGA led by Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA loyalists and supporters of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha are now in the APC.

    Opara said: “APGA in APC political structure is not APGA Lagos, which you were the chairman. Be informed that, having left APGA Lagos as the chairman, you are no longer the chairman of any political party or structure”

  • Protests mar APGA’s rally in Anambra

    Protests mar APGA’s rally in Anambra

    Members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) protested yesterday at the Government House and the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka against the change of list for the January 11 chairmanship election.

    The party members are from Orumba South, Orumba North, Ihiala, Njikoka, Awka North, Anaocha, Dunukofia and Onitsha South local governments.

    They accused ex-Deputy Governor Dr. Okey Udeh, Woman Leader Edith Nwokedi and National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh of masterminding the plot.

    They also alleged that the names of the candidates, who belong to the Anglican Communion, were removed for those of the Catholic Church.

    Orumba South party chairman, Thomas Okoli and his allies said if the list was not amended, the election would not hold in the council.

    He said: “In my council, APGA conducted primaries on August 17. Ernest Eze emerged winner with 378 votes, beating John Onyeakpa, but the loser was chosen.

    “The primary was witnessed by Deputy Governor Emeka Sibeudu and other stalwarts like Nikky Ugochukwu and Sir Geoffrey Muotolu, with the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) officials, State Security Service (SSS) and the police present.

    “If the list is not amended, APGA should be prepared to lose. This is no threat.”

    The protesters carried placards, which read: “Onyeakpa is an imposter”, “Ernest Eze is our candidate”, “Uncle Anii is our man”, “We do not want any other person”, among others.