Anambra: Ex-APC guber aspirant clinches YPP governorship ticket days after dumping party

A former leading aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in Anambra State, Paul Chukwuma, has officially secured the Young Progressives Party (YPP) nomination as its sole candidate for the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for November 18.

Chukwuma, who exited the APC just hours before its primary last Saturday, did not disclose the reason for his withdrawal.

Nevertheless, he affirmed his ongoing commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that his departure from the party would not affect his support for national development efforts.

The YPP primary, held Thursday in Awka, saw Chukwuma emerge unopposed. Mr. Vidiyeno Bamayi, the YPP Electoral Committee Chairman and Returning Officer, declared him the winner after a yes/no vote was conducted across the 326 wards in the state.

“I Vidiyeno Bamayi hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer of the guber primary election held on April 10 in Anambra.

“That the election was not contested, as we had a single candidate, therefore, we had to do a yes or no vote.

“That Mr Paul Chukwuma received 366 ‘Yes’ votes against eight ‘No’ votes from the 326 wards in the state to become the YPP governorship candidate.

“That Chukwuma, having satisfied the requirements of the YPP electoral guidelines and the law, is hereby declared the winner and he is returned elected as the YPP candidate in the state,” Bamayi announced.

He explained that the party adopted the “Option A4” voting method, which required delegates to physically line up in support of their preferred candidate, with dissenters forming a separate group. He emphasized that the approach complied with the stipulations of the amended Electoral Act 2022.

Also speaking at the event, YPP National Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Amakiri expressed confidence in Chukwuma’s potential to positively transform Anambra under the YPP platform.

“You are coming to raise the bar to sustain the momentum in Anambra,” Amakiri said.

Criticizing the pervasive self-interest in Nigerian politics, Amakiri described Chukwuma’s emergence as a step toward responsible leadership.

“This is why we are presenting someone like him to the people of Anambra,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Chukwuma pledged to work collaboratively with party members and welcome new allies in the journey to electoral victory.

“Mr Chairman, I stand in clear terms to receive the nomination I have got from our great party today as its candidate for the governorship election in Anambra,” he declared.
He commended the transparent process and extended his gratitude to delegates, officials, and supporters for ensuring a smooth exercise.