By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Former governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Obiora Okonkwo has emerged the new governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the November 6 governorship polls in Anambra State.

Okonkwo was unveiled as the substitute of the party's initial candidate, Mr Uche Ugwoji process on Friday, July 30, following the completion of the process at the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The chairman of United Nigeria Airline had contested the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP but lost the ticket to Valentine Ozigbo.

ZLP will also unveil Okonkwo and his running mate, Barr Jessie Balonwu, a former lawmaker and Commisioner in Anambra State to the people in a yet to be announced date.

Media adviser to Okonkwo, Mr Achilleus-Chud Uchegbu who disclosed the substitution of the party’s candidate in a statement in Awka said, “With the development, Dr. Okonkwo will now be on the ballot as candidate of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) for the November 6 election in Anambra State.

“The submission followed Dr. Okonkwo’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okonkwo resigned from the PDP in protest following outcome of an illegitimate primary election where the Party abandoned its constitution and foisted on the members a process that cannot stand the test of the law thereby leaving the party with a barrage of litigations that do not point a clear direction as the November 6 election approaches.

“Also submitted to INEC was the name of Dame (Barr.) Jessie Balonwu, a former member of the House of Representatives and also a former State Women Leader of the PDP, as running-mate to Dr. Okonkwo.

“Dame Balonwu, who is from Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency of Anambra North Senatorial District, was also the first Igbo female senator-elect and Commissioner for education in Anambra state. She also served the state meritoriously as Chairman, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB between 2005 and 2007.

“The leadership of ZLP will formally unveil Dr. Okonkwo and Dame Balonwu to the good people of Anambra State in the next few days,” Uchegbu said.

Since losing the PDP ticket, several groups have called on Okonkwo to re-enter the race for the Agu-Awka seat of power through another party, saying that he has all the qualities required for the governorship position of the state.

One of the groups, Anambra Rescue Mission (ARM) led by Barr Azubike Anazor last week addressed journalists, saying it would lead a delegation to the Ogidi-born Chief to persuade him to contest.

Okonkwo had recently resigned his membership of PDP.

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