All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Chief Godwin Eï»¿zemuo, has faulted Monday’s primary election that produced Senator Chris Ngige as the party’s candidate for the November 16 governorship ballot in the South-East state.

Ngige won the primaries conducted by a high-powered APC committee headed by former governor of Kano Sï»¿tate, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, with 53,255 votes as against Eï»¿zemuo’s 9,554 votes.

Ezemuo, who had earlier refused to step down for Ngige, however said he was notï»¿ happy with the process, complaining of aï»¿lleged manipulation by people he described asï»¿ “some certain leaders of the party in the ï»¿South East.”

According to him, “The exerï»¿cise is a planned deal. It is terrible. I amï»¿ not satisfied with this exercise. The exercï»¿ise has been manipulated at Idemili North, Idï»¿emili South, Dunukofia and some other areas.” ï»¿

Ngige, however, described the exercise as woï»¿nderful, saying that the large turnout of people sï»¿howed the true picture of what would happen dï»¿uring the November 16 governorship election. ï»¿

“This is no fight,” he said. “Ezeemo is my brotherï»¿. We cannot fight. November 16 is the D-Day. We are brothers and there is no need for us ï»¿to quarrel over the contest.”

Announcing ï»¿the result at Emmaus House in the state capital, Awka, Mallam Shekarau had commï»¿ended members of the party in all the wards iï»¿n the state for their peaceful conduct duringï»¿ and after the exercise.

He said the decisiï»¿on to adopt option A4 for the selection of thï»¿e governorship candidate of the party was meant toï»¿ bring democracy down to the grassroots, adding that the process was chosen by APCï»¿ to test the popularity of the two aspirants,ï»¿ and for theï»¿ purpose of transparency.

His words: “We are not like otheï»¿r political parties where they fight to seleï»¿ct their candidates. What APC is doing is shoï»¿wing the way for others to follow. Ours is noï»¿t a do-or-die affair; APC does everything in an ï»¿open and democratic process.”

•Photo shows Ezemuo.

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