An aspirant for the seat of Abia Central Senatorial District of Abia State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Pro-chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, has withdrawn from the National Assembly race over negation of democratic principle by the leadership of the APC in the ongoing primaries across the states.
She expressed disappointment at the protracted division in the Abia chapter of the APC and the alleged undemocratic manner of the emergence of the purported delegates, which according to her, has further fuelled the division in the party.
Senator Nwaogu who made this known in a statement issued to newsmen on Saturday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, pointed out that the ugly development has led to two different primaries in the same election with one group using the direct mode of primary and another using the indirect mode of primary elections.
She continued, “Consequently, two governorship candidates emerged-High Chief Ikechi Emenike and Dr Uche Sampson under this state of uncertainty, i find it difficult to participate in the forthcoming senatorial primary election slated for Saturday, May 28, 2022.
“I, Senator Nkechi J. Nwaogu PhD, CON hereby withdraw my participation in the forthcoming Senatorial Primary election slated for May 8, 2022”.
Asked if she will dump APC over the ugly scenario, she ruled out planned defection to another political party to pursue her senatorial bid.
Her words: “I will still remain an active member of our great party (APC) and ever ready to serve the party in any capacity where my services may be required”.
Recall that she had in April 2022, declared her intention to return to the National Assembly to represent Abia Central District of Abia State in the 2023 National Assembly elections.
Before now, Nwaogu represented Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives between 1999 to 2003, and Abia Central Senatorial zone in the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2011.