OBIANO WINS APGA PRIMARIES

All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday elected Chief Willie
Obiano, as its torch-bearer for the November 16th governorship
election in Anambra state. Obiano, an Executive Director of Fidelity
Bank Plc., hails from Anambra East in Anambra North Senatorial zone.
He was elected in the governorship primaries in Awka. The Chairman of
the Electoral Panel, Chief Martin Agbaso, said Obiano polled817 votes
out of the 1,076, while Rep. Uche Ekwunife, got 150 votes. Chief Paul
Odenigbo had 49 votes; Emeka Nwogbo, 22 votes; John Nwosu, 18 votes;
John Emeka, one vote; while 16 votes were voided. Chief Patrick
Obianwu had earlier stepped down for Obiano, while Mr John Emeka's
withdrawal was turned down. Obianwu, whose withdrawal brought the
number of candidates to six, said he stepped down to keep the dream of
Anambra North zone producing the next governor alive. Delegates to the
primaries rated conduct of the election as most peaceful in the state
in recent times and a true reflection of the wishes of the party
members. Dr Edozie Aroh, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports,
said that the party had shown that it was still strong in the state.
Aroh said that APGA was poised to retain the post of the governor in
the next dispensation. Also reacting, Mr Chinedu Obidigwe, the council
Chairman of Anambra East, said he was elated that the winner had
warned that the youth of Anambra would resist attempts by any party to
feature more than one candidate. Gov. Peter Obi, who addressed the
party supporters, urged them to sustain their support for APGA to
retain the governorship seat.