Anambra Central: No Automatic Ticket For Ekwunife – Ngige

Chris NgigeThe Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has said that the defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, of the sacked senator representing Anambra Central senatorial district, Senator Uche Ekwunife, is not a guarantee that she will get an automatic ticket to contest the re-run election in March 2016.

Ngige, who spoke made this known on Sunday in his hometown of Alor, Anambra State on Sunday, said that Ekwunife was accepted into the APC because politics is a game of inclusion, and that the party cannot continue to shut out new members.

Ngige, who was the APC candidate for the senatorial zone in the March 28 National Assembly elections, confirmed that Ekwunife consulted him and top members of the party at the national level before dumping the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for APC at the weekend.

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He also said that he is aware that the sacked senator has spoken to members of the party in her ward, and awaiting the state executives.

On whether the senator would be picking the ticket of the party automatically, Ngige said that there was no such arrangement as the party is preparing to hold a primary election to choose its candidate.

The Minister disclosed that two other members of the party have indicated interest to vie for the senatorial position of Anambra Central, and that the party will not just hand its ticket to Ekwunife automatically, but would ensure that the right thing is done.

“The court said it’s a fresh election, and so we have to also hold a small primary election for them to be on the safe side”, Ngige said.