The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, yesterday told the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) members in the state House of Assembly to brace up to the challenges of the forthcoming general election, saying there will be no automatic ticket for anybody.

He made the declaration on the heels of rumours that all the lawmakers in the party will get automatic tickets as compensation for their efforts at ensuring that the governor was re-elected in last year’s November 18 governorship election.

The governor said that the lawmakers will have to face the delegates of the party in a primary election.

Obiano, who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Social Media, Mr. Ifeanyi Aniagoh, said the governor who he described as a democrat would not condescend to hand picking candidates for APGA.

A statement made available to journalists in Awka reads in part: “The publication that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has promised return tickets for Honourable Members of Anambra State House of Assembly in appreciation of their support for his relection is a fake, malicious and false propaganda aimed at confusing the unsuspecting public.

“It is on record that Governor Obiano is a highly democratic leader whose love for due process has made Anambra State one of the most transparent States in Nigeria.

“Under his present leadership as the National Leader and Chairman, Board of Trustees, APGA has strengthened to the extent of winning elections in Bayelsa, Abia, Imo and Taraba states as well as clinching a chairmanship seat within the Federal Capital Territory.

“To maintain this rapid development all House Members wishing to go for another term and other aspirants shall present themselves for primary election by the people in accordance with the provisions of APGA Constitution.”

Aniagoh called on the public to disregard such publication and its propagators, adding that APGA was not ready to indulge in such dictatorship that has been the bane of other political parties in the country.

Update news