By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The final list of automatic delegates for today’s governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has shown that aspirants running for the ticket of the party who have not held positions in the party are not qualified to vote as automatic delegates. Others include those that have not held public office or taken part in any elective position in the party.

A total of 229 delegates will participate in the election, while 21 persons with disabilities who were earlier added to the list were dropped.

A press statement by the National Organizing Secretary of the party, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), stated that the reason for dropping persons with disabilities was because the state executive of the party which nominated them has been dissolved

Meanwhile, major aspirants such as Dr Godwin Maduka, Dr Obiora Okonkwo, Valentine Ozigbo, Winston Udeh, Johnny Maduaforkwa, Godwin Ezeemo and others were not listed in the full list of 229 delegates to participate in the election.

Akobundu’s statement showed that the number of delegates in the 21 local government areas of the state varies.

Dunukofia Council Area has the least number of delegates, with just 3 persons, while Awka South LGA has the highest, with 23 delegates.

News Express learnt that in an effort to pave way for the emergence of Dr Obiora Okonkwo as the party’s flag bearer, three aspirants have allegedly stepped down from the race.

This is as just as there are negotiations with three other aspirants, including a female – who are said to be making hard bargains – to also step down before the commencement of voting.

It was gathered that some of the aspirants who agreed to step down from the contest include those from Anambra South who had earlier banked on demand for the zoning to the governorship slot to the South as well as the support of some statutory and ad-hoc delegates, who by judgement of court, can no longer participate in the primary.