The hotly contested Anambra governorship campaign has been one of the most unique electoral exercises in recent Nigerian history, punctuated today by the resignation of a key campaign manager for Sen. Chris Ngige, dealing his candidacy a devastating blow.

The nature of Ngige’s failure this week is particularly poignant given incoherence of the other competing parties.

The two traditionally dominant parties in the region, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), are in shambles. The PDP finds itself stuck in court and losing invaluable weeks on the campaign trail as two separate factions fight to position former youth chairman Tony Nwoye vs. the looming figure of Andy Uba, a known “godfather” of Nigerian politics.

Meanwhile, one would assume that APGA would be delighted to see the PDP hamstrung with internal divisions to rush forward and dominate the election, but they’re hopelessly mired in court too. Chief Victor Umeh appears to have a very tenuous grip on the legitimate chairmanship of his party, as his nominee of Chief Willy Obiano has been staunchly challenged by the influential barrister Maxi Okwu, who wants Dr. Chike Obidigbo to carry the APGA ticket. Now INEC is being pressured is allow both candidates to compete against each other, which has prompted an outcry over the absurdity of the whole affair.

In such a situation, the natural conclusion would have been that the governorship seat would fall right into the lap of Ngige, who previously served as governor from 2003-2006 before being ousted from office by a court decision after he broke ranks with his patron, Chris Uba.

Ngige’s candidacy represents a crucial test for the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), the result of a merger between Bola Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Northern-dominated Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). Observers have voiced skepticism that the APC was ready to hold itself together as a united party, questioning whether or not the components and disputing groups would find a way to work together.

With the resignation of Sen. Annie Okonkwo – who had stepped down last August for Ngige’s candidacy – has brought these fears to life.

The support of Okonkwo was crucial to Ngige’s governorship bid, and not just for his strategic direction of the campaign. Okonkwo’s support would be instrumental to locking down votes among his base in Anambra Central, and his ability to raise funds among the diaspora and business community is substantial. Most of all, Okonkwo’s earlier decision to stand down and support the Ngige candidacy gave the APC ticket a greater sense of legitimacy amid all the fighting parties.

But, at the heart of the matter remains the fundamental fact that Ngige and Okonkwo have always been competitors, not allies.

In his resignation letter sent to party chairman Bisi Akande, Okonko wrote “I write to appreciate you my national chairman and indeed the interim national executive committee on my appointment as the chairman/ campaign coordinator of the national campaign committee for the Anambra governorship election come November 26. It is really commendable and appreciated but wishes to regrettably decline the appointment and also disassociate myself from the candidature of our flag bearer, Senator Chris Ngige.”

Okonkwo, who is a former PDP member and is said to retain numerous ties there, seemed to indicate that he was resentful of the disrespectful treatment from Ngige, who failed to respect the gesture of stepping down for him.

“My decision was borne out of inability to keep to the agreement and flagrant distrust and abuses by our standard bearer who of course showed no appreciation for the supreme sacrifice of stepping down for him,” Okonkwo wrote. “As a party, I remain committed and loyal to our great party.”

Taking this devastating resignation into account along with the defection of members of both the ACN and CPC from the APC alliance in Anambra, Nigeria’s youngest political party is evidently having some growing pains, while Ngige, unless he gets a major endorsement this weekend, looks like his campaign is dead in the water.

Meanwhile the pundits are scratching their heads to figure out who will jump into this vacuum and take advantage of campaigning while everyone else is tied up in fights. Speculation inevitably turns toward businessman Ifeanyi Ubah and the Labour Party, but it would be a mistake to assume that Andy Ubah isn’t going to marshall his considerable resources for a last minute bid to rig himself into power.

http://anambrawatch.com/2013/09/20/ngiges-anambra-campaign-implodes/

What we need is only prayers this APC is made up of political desperadoes, there are not and there can never be an alternative to the PDP. The reason for all these political crises is money and power, non them has the interest of masses at their hearts. may God save us in 2015.

Onyejiuwa okoh: What we need is only prayers this APC is made up of political desperadoes, there are not and there can never be an alternative to the PDP. The reason for all these political crises is money and power, non them has the interest of masses at their hearts. may God save us in 2015.

Na u sabi

APC again on this thread, confusion everywhere. I think they should take a break and know what they really want, cause sincerely I don't know.

OK now.

What's it with Nigerian politician and Endorsement??
who d hell is Sen.okonkwo?..
does his endorsement of Ngige make him a better Candidate?
does his endorsement of Ngige guarantee good road, Security,Effective&efficient H2O supply, qualitative education,Health care system e.t.c
if nt den i dnt tink it has any bearing on d election proper..
and hope u havnt 4gotten so soon dat Ngige waz able to floor both d Incumbent Governor & a much respected prof Dora afta 2 rerun for the senetorial seat...
dat said i tink Ngige is d Man to beat...

Onyejiuwa okoh: What we need is only prayers this APC is made up of political desperadoes, there are not and there can never be an alternative to the PDP. The reason for all these political crises is money and power, non them has the interest of masses at their hearts. may God save us in 2015.

begin to fast and pray. Go to mountain, buy holy oil and use anointed handkerchief. APC is a dead party anywhere anytime