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Osita Chidoka, erstwhile minister of Aviation, is set to become the flag bearer for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming Anambra Central Rerun elections.
This comes after the party’s favoured candidate Uche Ekwunife defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), The Whistle reports.
It is believed that party’s decision to nominate the Chidoka is “of a quest by the PDP to present a credible alternative to Uche Ekwunife who has abandoned the party. Osita Chidoka is seen as a very capable politician to challenge for the exulted position. He has served three Nigerian Presidents from President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umaru YaYar’aduand Goodluck Jonathan, in different capacities.
“His qualifications which include; a Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Ports Management from the National University of Singapore, Certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy from Oxford University and Master’s Degree in Transport Policy & Logistics, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, USA will position him as one of the bright parliamentarians.”
If Osita Chidoka emerges the PDP flagbearer he is expected to be challenged by Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and either Mrs. Ekwunife or Sharon Ikeazor the APC former woman leader who has since indicated her interest in the race.
Ekwunife had polled 101,548 votes to defeat her closest rival Chief Victor Umeh, the national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), who received 77,129 votes, and Sen. Ngige of the APC who got only 20,850 votes in the March 28, 2015, election.
Announcing the result, Dr. Pius Okoye, the INEC returning officer attested that the poll was free, fair and credible.
However, an appeal court sitting in Enugu on December 6, 2015, nullified the election of Uche Ekwunife, as the senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District in the red chamber of the National Assembly, following an appeal filed by Chief Victor Umeh of the APGA.
The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days.
SOURCE: The Whistler