[News] Anambra Election: INEC names Soludo as APGA candidate, exempts PDP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has named a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo as the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the November 6, Anambra State governorship election

In a list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates signed by the Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony and released on Thursday August 18, candidates of 12 parties were listed except that of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, in another statement, disclosed that the commission met on Thursday and deliberated on a number of issues, including the nomination of candidates for the election scheduled for November 6, 2021.

On recognition of Soludo as APGA’s candidate, Okoye said;

“The commission was served with the judgement of the Court of Appeal (Kano Division) which set aside the judgement of the High Court of Jigawa State on the leadership of APGA and the nomination of its candidates for the Anambra Governorship election.”

Explaining why the commission dropped the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Valentine Ozigbo, in the updated list published on Thursday, Okoye said the commission had, in line with section 35 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), fixed July 31, 2021, as the deadline for withdrawal and substitution of candidates for the Anambra poll.

He said;

“By the deadline, seven governorship and 11 deputy governorship candidates were substituted by 11 out of the 18 political parties.”

The final list of candidates would be published on October 7, 2021, as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.

Okoye added;

“The final list of candidates will be published on October 7, 2021, as provided in the timetable and schedule of activities for the election.”