Internal wrangling occurred yesterday in the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (APCN) leading to the withdrawal of the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, from the race. But the party leadership accused her of using the platform to negotiate for ministerial position, threatening to drag her to court if she refused to return campaign donations made to her as its presidential candidate.
Ezekwesili
became the ACPN presidential candidate last year and had been
campaigning since then, including participating in last week’s
presidential debate. She announced her withdrawal from the race in a
statement yesterday by the spokesperson of her presidential campaign
organisation, Ozioma Ubabukoh.
The Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC), however, said the withdrawal came late as
the period allowed for substitution of candidates had elapsed.
Ezekwesili, however, promised that “every money donated to the campaign
and funds spent will be accounted for in the coming days.”
The
former Education Minister said she was stepping aside from the
presidential race to help build a coalition to defeat the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the
February 16 election. Ezekwesili said the decision to withdraw from the
race followed extensive discussions with Nigerians at home and the
Diaspora. This decision, she said, followed extensive consultations with
leaders from various walks of life across the country over the past few
days. “I deem it necessary for me to focus on helping to build a
veritable coalition to ensure a viable alternative to the #APCPDP in the
forthcoming elections.
“It is my ardent belief that this broad
coalition for a viable alternative has now become more than ever before,
an urgent mission for and on behalf of Nigerian citizens. “I have,
therefore, chosen to lead the way in demonstrating the much needed
patriotic sacrifice for our national revival and redirection,” she said.
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