Anambra 2021: Umeoji kicks against disqualification by APGA, insists he’s still in race

By PAMELA EBOH Awka

One of the disqualified governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chukwuma Umeoji, has dismissed his disqualification by the screening committee of the party, insisting that he is still in the race with Prof Charles Soludo.

He said the report was that of the Screening Committee and not the final decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by the National Chairman, Dr Victor Oye.

The Screening Committee had on Tuesday through the National Organising Secretary, Ifeanyi Mbaeri published names of both qualified and disqualified aspirants ahead of the June 22, 2021 primary of the party.

Among those disqualified were ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s former aide, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, Hon Chuma Umeoji, Cater Dike Umeh, Hon Nonso Smart and Ozoka Odera Ifeanyi.

While Prof Charles Soludo, Damian Okolo, ThankGod Ibe and Okwudili Ezenwankwo were cleared to contest the party’s primary.

But Umeoji said: “In Pursuant to the constitution and guideline of our great party, APGA, Hon Chukwuma Umeoji, will write to the NWC to appeal the decision and report of the Screening Committee.

“We hope that the party leadership in her wisdom would consider our appeal and exercise a veto that will enable Hon Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, participate in the primaries.”

The governorship aspirant hopeful in a statement signed by his media team urged his supporters and Anambra people to remain calm and put the interest of the party first.

The statement partly reads: “We wish to inform our supporters, party faithful and entire Anambra electorates that we have received the Report of the APGA Screening Committee held on the 10th Day of June 2021 at the party National Secretariat Abuja.

“According to the Report of the Committee which was released this morning, 14th Day of June 2021, Hon. Chukwuma Michael Umeoji KSJI, MHR was “Not Cleared” to participate in the forthcoming APGA primary election slated for June 23, 2021

“It is the report of the Screening Committee and not the final decision of the National Working Committee of our great party, All Progressives Grand Alliance party, APGA ably led by the indefatigable National Chairman, Dr Victor Oye.

“Pursuant to the constitution and guideline of our great party, APGA, Hon Chukwuma Umeoji, will write to the NWC to appeal the decision and report of the Screening Committee, we hope that the party leadership in her wisdom would consider our appeal and exercise a veto that will enable Hon Chukwuma Michael Umeoji, participate in the primaries.”

Umeoji called on Party faithful to ensure they participate fully in the ward Congress to elect Ad-Hoc Delegates for the nomination of APGA governorship candidate on June 23, 2021 and also resist every attempt of imposition while waiting for the reaction and final decision of the NWC.

“We are still committed to building a greater and better Anambra State together.”

According to the statement, Umeoji, who is known to be Prof Soludo’s main challenger, was accused of inconsistent age declaration, the doubtful financial status of his nominators and being insubordinate to the party.

He insisted that he is still in the race with Prof. Charles Soludo, who happens to be the choice of Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and others.