Anambra guber: APC panel screens Chukwuma, Okonkwo, others

The governorship screening committee set up by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to screen the seven aspirants ahead of April 5, 2025, primary election has begun the exercise.

The committee headed by the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema, commenced the exercise Friday evening shortly after its inauguration by the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The seven aspirants who have purchased the nomination forms include; Hon. Chukuma Michael Umeoji, Prof. Obiora Francis Okonwko, Nicholas Chukwujeku Ukachukwu, Sir Paul Chukwuma, Onunkwo Johnbisco Obinna, Valentine Ozigbo and Edozie Madu, respectively.

Speaking during the inauguration, Ganduje tasked the Shema led screening panel to be fair and prevent against litigation.

Ganduje said: “We have confidence in you to do justice in what you are assigned to do. Ensure that you don’t leave some gaps to make us face some litigations either within the party or outside the party.”

Speaking with newsmen shortly after his screening, one of the aspirants and former APC National Auditor, Sir Paul Chukwuma, described himself as the best candidate to fly the flag of the party.

He said he was happy with the process which he said is a routine to ensure that only qualified aspirants were selected to fly the party’s flag in the election.

“I came prepared for the screening and I am happy it went well. I am ready for the primary and also hopeful to be elected. I’m also convinced that the APC will Anambra election”.

On his views about some aspirants who only recently joined the ruling party from other opposition parties, Chukwuma said; “I feel great that the APC has a commendable practice of people from other parties joining us. The outcome of people coming in is a product of what we started when I was a member of the National Working Committee (NWC).

“I’m happy that my brothers from other parties are identifying with the APC. We should allow anybody who feels he is qualified to contest to do so. I want them to join us to clean Anambra and return the state to the people.

Chukwuma equally said he was happy with the decision of the party to adopt the indirect primaries option.

“I am very comfortable with either the direct or indirect primaries, or any other option for that matter. I have worked very hard to develop the party and I am happy our people are ready to support me.

“I’m older than all of them, each of the are actually qualified to govern the state, but I have an edge because I am the most qualified and I am sure that when I eventually emerge as the candidate, they will all join hands with me to save the state.