Ikemba Front Calls For Strengthening,. Reengineering Of APC In Anambra

Ikemba Front calls for strengthening, reengineering of APC in Anambra

From Ifeoma Ejiofor 

The flagship political support structure of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Anambra State, Ikemba Front, has said that it would abide by whatever decisions taken by the governorship candidate of the party, in the just concluded Anambra State governorship election.

The group said her position is in reference to whether the irregularities that marred the election are to be challenged in court by Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu.

The National Coordinator of IKEMBA FRONT, Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu, disclosed this yesterday.

The Anambra off-cycle governorship election was held on 8 November in the South-east state. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner of the poll.

INEC announced that Prof. Chukwuma Soludo polled 422,664 votes, followed by the All Progressives Congress with 99,445 votes, the Young Progressives Party with 37,753, then the Labour Party with 10,505 votes, and the Peoples Democratic Party with 1,401 votes.

Sir Awogu who also doubles as the Director of Admin, APC Anambra State, said that whatever be the choice going forward for Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu must have  been borne out of deep reflection and rigorous analysis that transcends mere political calculation.

The National Coordinator of Ikemba Front maintained that the alleged irregularities that marred the election, such as vote-buying, falsification of figures and questionable collation procedures, were “symptomatic of a deeper malaise afflicting our electoral system. 

He said that the decision whether or not to approach the tribunal would not be a capitulation to injustice but a resolute stand against a flawed system.

"The stark reality we face is this: Nigeria’s electoral adjudication framework has become a labyrinth where justice is often lost to technicalities.

“Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu will always commit himself to the arduous but necessary task of systemic reform and his mandate transcends the confines of a courtroom; it is a battle for the survival of the very soul of our democracy,” Awogu said.

"The burden of proof placed on petitioners is not just high; it is often insurmountable. The custodianship of crucial electoral materials by INEC, which is itself a necessary party and defendant in election petitions, presents practical challenges in building a compelling case within stipulated time frames."

He affirmed that Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu's decision will not just be about the outcome of a single election but about the very foundations of our democratic process which he said is on downward spiral.

Sir Arinzechukwu Awogu, a former Ogbaru Local Government Council Chairman, however called for the strengthening of the party, APC, in Anambra State and encouraging its longstanding and dutiful members with a sense of belonging at the national level through slots for the party and national political placements.