Nwoye is our candidate for the Anambra election, PDP insists

Published: September 19,2013

The PDP keeps mute on the row in House of Representatives.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, insisted on Wednesday that Tony Nwoye, who won the its primary election in Anambra State remained its candidate for the November 16, despite a court judgement voiding his candidacy.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, stated this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.
A Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, voided Mr Nwoye’s candidacy and declared Nicholas Ukachukwu as the validly elected candidate of the PDP in the August 24 primary election.

Mr. Ukachuwku had instituted the suit on August 29, challenging Mr Nwoye’s participation in the election over tax issues. He had told the court through his counsel, Ricky Tarfa, that the Mr. Nwoye was not eligible to contest the primaries because he did not pay his tax as at when due.

However, Mr Metuh said the National Working Committee, NWC, of the party met and directed the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwom, to appeal the judgement.

“NWC met yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday) on the matter and we have directed the National Legal Adviser and the legal team of the party to handle that. But the working committee decided that they are going to stand by the primaries conducted by the party last month,” he said.

The PDP spokesman said the party would refrain from commenting on the row in the House of Representatives for now, not only because the PDP was a discipline party, but also because of the respect it had for those spearheading the peace talks with the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the party.

According to him, “Because we are doing reconciliation we will refrain from commenting on the conduct and actions of our aggrieved brothers.

“But we must take this, our party has a constitution. Part of the constitution is that we do not engage in unauthorised party dispute.

“Like the national chairman said there should be discipline. At the moment we are talking and having deliberations at the highest level and because we have respect for the president of this country, former president and the board of trustees of this party we will refrain from commenting on the conduct of our good brothers for now we will keep quiet.”

Mr. Metuh expressed optimism that there would be breakthrough in the peace talks, saying “We are optimistic we will resolve the grievances. The party has offered platforms for these people to serve the nation and state and the party at the highest level. I believe they are grateful. The debt that they owe this party is more than what they have given to the party. So they must take that into consideration.”