By Emmanuel Aziken & Johnbosco Agbakwuru

Erstwhile Secretary to the State Government in the Willie Obiano and Peter Obi administrations in Anambra State, Oseloka Obaze, yesterday emerged as candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.’

Oseloka Obaze

Obaze beat oil businessman, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Stella Oduah and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu to emerge the candidate of the PDP at the primary that took place in Awka yesterday.

He polled 672 votes out of the estimated 950 votes cast by the special delegates that were elected for the primary.

Obaze from Anambra North is set to confront Dr. Tony Nwoye who emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC; Governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Progressives Party, UPP.

Ahead of the primary election, member of the House of Representatives representing Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency, Rep. Lynda Ikpeazu withdrew from the contest.

Ikpeazu speaking to Vanguard on telephone said:

“I wrote them a letter and they acknowledged my withdrawing because of what I noticed. I withdrew before today (yesterday), so I couldn’t have gone there today. I didn’t go.”

On why she withdrew, the lawmaker explained, “I withdrew because you know primary election is delegate election. Of course, in trying to get the delegates, you have to make sure that it is done right. The Returning Officers that were sent to local governments to conduct the election unfortunately, over 90 percent of them didn’t even get to the local government to conduct the election.

“If they didn’t conduct the delegates election, where did the names of delegates emanate from? So, I felt that in such a situation, there was no point in me participating in the process. I felt I should withdraw at that point and later down the line I don’t have interest. So, I wouldn’t have been there to storm out.”