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SenatorJulius Ali Ucha
By Iheanachor Isaac, Abakiliki
A governorship aspirant under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi State, SenatorJulius Ali Ucha, has described the endorsement of the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Chief Francis Nwifuru by Governor David Umahi for next year’s governorship election as undemocratic, illegal and immoral.
Governor Umahi had at during a burial ceremony held on Saturday at Okposi in Ohanzara local government area of the state endorsed the speaker as his successor in 2023 elections.
Ucha who is also aspiring for same position has on Tuesday described Umahi’s endorsement of Nwifuru as as unacceptable, unconstitutional and demonic.
He cited that the electoral act and the party constitution provides three conditions upon which aspirant can emerge.
This he saud include; direct primaries, indirect primaries and consensus, adding that call for consensus did not happen in the case of Nwifuru’s case by governor Umahi.
Ucha urged the Governor to rescind the endorsement and allow other aspirants of the position to contest the party’s primaries.
He noted that governor’s action for-closing other aspirants, stressing that it will spell doom for the party in the 2023 general elections.
“it came those to us who are governorship aspirants under the platform of the APC as a surprise that an endorsement has been made by the state governor.
“We are still aspiring and we are aspiring very strong and we were not consulted and we are also aware that democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Endorsement or appointment in democracy can only be done by Chief Executive when he has been elected; you can appoint your commissioners, you don’t appoint people that are aspiring to be elected because we all aware that endorsement who is to be elected is undemocratic, it is immoral, it is also illegal and unconstitutional.
“It is even demonic because what you are doing is to destroy democracy because you are saying that the will of the people no longer matter in democracy.
“People are supposed to vote for one that is to govern them not through imposition. So, we reject imposition and I call on the people of Ebonyi State to resist anything that will destroy democracy in this state.
“The electoral act and the party constitution provides only three conditions upon which an aspirant can emerge as a candidate.
“One is through direct primaries, two is through indirect primaries and the third is through consensus and none of this has been done in the state.
“So, even in the consensus, all other aspirants must have written a withdrawal note. If one refuses to withdraw and go to the federal high court, the entire process will be annulled.
“So, it is not something anybody can secure by a wave of hands that I have endorsed you or I have appointed you, no we are in democracy.
“This is why I have decided to bare my minds on what has happened in our state recently”.
