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LG poll: PDP summons Ngige, Uba
Yusuf Alli, Abuja
Worried by the delay in conducting the local government poll in Anambra State, the Peoples Democratic Party has again summoned Governor Chris Ngige and his estranged political godfather, Chief Chris Uba.
Our correspondent learnt that the two men were invited following their conflicting list of candidates for the local government poll, which held last March in other states.
They are to appear before the party on Thursday.
It was also learnt that the latest summons would revisit the crisis of confidence created by the botched July 10, 2003 abduction of Ngige.
A source within the party said, �We have tried in the last one year to find a political solution to the Anambra crisis.
�We made a headway in February and it was as if peace was in sight until of recent when the two parties could not agree on the list of candidates for the council poll in that state.
�We have seen another problem or threat lurking and we want to nip it in the bud.�
Following the defection of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju from the PDP to the Alliance for Democracy, some members who won party primaries in 2002 for the council poll could no longer be fielded.
Another problem in the state was the emergence of two lists of candidates from the Ngige and Uba camps.
The reinstated state executive of the party, allegedly loyal to Uba, said that it had the right to present a list of candidates for the poll but the Caretaker Committee claimed that it was its duty.
Disturbed by the deadlock, the NWC opted for a harmonised list drawn from the outcome of 2002 primaries, between Ngige and Uba groups.
Although, Ngige and Uba met the NWC on February 19, 2004, the issue of candidates for the council poll remained intractable.
It was learnt that after the party had brokered a truce between Uba and Ngige with a harmonised list, the governor raised fresh fears that the Uba group was unduly favoured.
Apart from that, the governor was not disposed to the conduct of local government poll in the state because of unfavourable security reports.
The governor�s security aides have not been restored in spite of a court order asking the police high command to do so. Though Ngige is said to be apprehensive that some elements could hijack the election to foment trouble, the party is pressing him to conduct the poll.
A member of the NWC said, �We felt that only the respect for the harmonised list can guarantee peace and ensure smooth conduct of the council poll in Anambra State.�
When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Venatius Ikem, said, �The meeting with the two leaders on Thursday is largely intertwined because it has to do with the ongoing reconciliation process and the local government poll in Anambra State.
�You know that the state executive council of the party in Anambra State has some level of uncertainty and we have to put PDP on a sound footing.
�We also want to resolve the problem over harmonised list of candidates for the LG poll. Some of the leaders who participated in the decision to harmonize the list are equally determined to decide who to be this or that contrary to PDP�s position.
�The party will meet with the leaders, try to resolve grey areas and make its final position known.�
The PUNCH, Monday 14, 2004
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