Anambra 2021: Consensus not foreclosed in APC ― Moghalu

Chairman of the Board of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and one of the leading aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in Anambra State, George Moghalu has said the emergence of a consensus candidate in the party has not been foreclosed.

He made the disclosure at the weekend shortly after submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination form ahead of the APC primaries fixed for June 26.

The governorship election according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to hold on November 6.

Further checks by Nigerian Tribune revealed that by virtue of the provision of the APC 2014 Constitution (as amended), the party candidate for elective offices could emerge through direct, indirect primaries and consensus arrangement.

Chief Moghalu, however, said whatever option is adopted ultimately by the party stakeholders he remained the candidate to beat.

He said: “If I must be honest with you, I will wish there is consensus and that consensus will be me but the truth about it is that, I know a good number has collected forms and I know a good number has returned their forms but that is not to say that there is still no room for discussion.

“In politics, 24 hours is a long time I’m sure that consultations will still take place. People will look at the possibility of working together but the important thing here is that as I always said, every person is qualified to be governor so I respect that belief as we go along.

“Since consensus is not the only option, it is either direct primary, indirect primary or consensus since it is part of the option available to us, I don’t see why we cannot exploit it because the important thing is we remain united as a political party, we remain together because if we are together the likelihood of being stronger is there.

“So that door is not shut. I’m sure that we could still explore that option. The days are quite far, today is the 4th of June, the primary is coming up on the 26th like we were told which at least allow us extra 22 days so I’m sure of the possibility of ourselves coming together to exploit the option of consensus.”

The APC chieftain dismissed insinuation that the ruling party is a hard sell in the South-East as he expressed confidence that those with the perception would be shocked with the outcome of the forthcoming November election.

“Why won’t they support us? And when people keep saying APC is not popular in Anambra, in 2017, the election we came second. We beat PDP in that election. So what happened? Are those demons that voted for us? The same Anambra people are there. When you marry two husbands, ask women they will tell you. You will be in a position to compare which one is better.

“Like I keep saying it, Anambra people have married two husbands. And the third one is waiting which is APC. And we are asking them to marry us this time so that they will be in a position to compare the first, second and this husband that is coming. Because we are coming with a commitment, determination to change the narrative.”

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