Crisis Brews in Onitsha South as Alleged Candidate Smuggling Rocks APGA Primaries

Tension is mounting within the Onitsha South Local Government chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) following allegations of a plot to insert a non-qualified aspirant into the list of chairmanship candidates ahead of Saturday’s local government primary elections.
The controversy comes after the party conducted its delegate primaries across council areas in the state, including Onitsha South Local Government Area. The exercise reportedly produced three chairmanship aspirants eligible to participate in the main primary election scheduled for Saturday.
In addition, the incumbent Mayor is expected to contest in the forthcoming primary, bringing the number of cleared aspirants to four.
However, party sources disclosed on Thursday that the Deputy Mayor of the council area, Hon. Onyebuchi Obi who allegedly did not participate in the delegate primary process is being positioned for inclusion in the final list of chairmanship aspirants.
If confirmed, this would increase the number of contenders to five, raising concerns about compliance with the party’s electoral guidelines.
Stakeholders within the local chapter have described the alleged move as a breach of internal democratic procedures and a potential violation of the party’s constitution and primary election guidelines.
They argue that allowing any aspirant who did not emerge from the duly conducted delegate primaries would undermine the credibility of the process and could trigger internal disputes.
Efforts to obtain official clarification from members of the party’s state executive committee were unsuccessful, as none agreed to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, there are allegations within party circles that elements of the party’s national leadership may be aware of, or complicit in, the alleged development.
Responding to the allegations, Mr. Vincent Ezechukwu, a Media Assistant to APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa, dismissed the claims as unfounded.
He maintained that the National Chairman had no involvement in any such plot.
“The National Chairman has no hand in the alleged plot,” “As a legal practitioner who believes strongly in the rule of law and due process, he cannot be part of any action that contravenes the party’s constitution or the established guidelines for the conduct of the primary elections. He has sworn to uphold the constitution of the party and will not act outside its provisions.”Ezechukwu stated.
As the primary election approaches, party members and political observers are closely watching developments in Onitsha South, where the unfolding situation could test the party’s internal cohesion and commitment to transparent democratic processes.