More than 5,000 delegates are expected participate in the rescheduled August 26, 2018 state party primary for the All Progressives Congress (APC) party primary in Anambra State.

Addressing journalists in Awka Thursday, the state chairman of the party, Mr. Emeka Ibeh, said that the 12 aspirants that bought forms were all cleared and have been certified qualified to contest in the primary election.

He explained that the reason for the shift in the date of the primary, which was earlier scheduled to hold on August 19, was to enable the party make adequate arrangements for the venues required to meet the accommodate needs of the delegates.

According to him, three venues would be required for accreditation of delegates and voting proper but he said the party had some difficulty securing government owned accommodation though it is not making it a big issue.

Ibeh noted that the party wrote to the Anambra State Government to release Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, adding that the government is yet to grant it the request.

APC Chairman said: “For a successful primary, the party would need to use Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Dora Akunyili Centre and one other big venue.

“Above all, nobody hijacked the list as speculated.

“As for allegations, that a certain aspirant has bought the leadership of the party at state and national level, Ibeh said the allegation arose from fear of the aspirant by his co-contestants.

“Nobody bought anybody. Nobody gave anybody money.

“All that have been trending on social media about corruption in the party are false propagated by some people who are not comfortable with Dr. Andy Ubah. They have been spreading false rumour about him.”

Ibeh also used the occasion to throw some light on the perceived crisis rocking the state chapter of the party, saying that the so-called crisis was orchestrated by two members who were suspended from the party but who wanted to claim what they were not in the party.

He further blamed the misunderstanding over the delegate list on the fact that some party members still paraded old delegate list used in 2014 after which some members left the party even when new members joined the party.

On the issue of adopting a consensus candidate given the number of aspirants running, Ibeh said it is left for the aspirants to decide saying that even if aspirants decide to step down for one aspirants, primary must be conducted.

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