Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Senator Obinna Ọgba, one of the governorship aspirants laying claim to the governorship candidacy of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has nominated Oliver Osi as his running mate
Mr Osi is the member representing Ivo State Constituency in Ebonyi State House of Assembly.
His name has since been transmitted and received by the headquarters of Peoples Democratic Party.
In a letter dated 22nd June 2022 and addressed to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Ọgba who presently represents Ebonyi Central senatorial district said Osi’s nomination is in compliance to the electoral law.
He said: “In compliance with section 187(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, the Electoral guideline and the Peoples Democratic Party guideline, I write to convey my nomination of Hon. Dr. Oliver O. Osi as the deputy Governorship Candidate of our great party in the forth-coming 2023 general election.
“His nomination is the outcome of detailed and wide-ranging consultations with party stakeholders in the state. I have no doubt that his inclusion will add strong electoral value to our ticket.
“Hon. Dr. Oliver O. Osi is an astute party loyalist who was born on the 21st March 1970. He was elected Councilor representing Ihie ward (Amagu) from 2011-2013, and subsequently elected member representing Ivo constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly from 2015 till date.
“He is currently the Chairman House Committee on Abakaliki Capital Territory and Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Health,” Ọgba siad.
Two PDP governorship candidates emerge in Ebonyi
Mr Ọgba and another aspirant, Ifeanyi Odii are locked in a legal battle for the sole ticket of the party for next year’s governorship election.
Both of them emerged winners in separate primaries held by the party in the State on different dates.
While Odii emerged from the 29th May governorship primary election, Ọgba won the second one which held on 5th June.
Odii took the PDP and INEC to court asking the court to declare him the authentic candidate and bar PDP from submitting any other candidate’s name to INEC.
Justice Fatun Riman of the Federal High Court Abakaliki on 6th of June ruled in his favour and granted all his prayers but that did not stop the party from issuing Ọgba certificate of return the next day.
The party would later issue Odii another certificate of return in obedience to the court’s ruling on Monday causing more confusion in the party.
Meanwhile, Ọgba appealed the ruling at the Appeal Court in Enugu and on Tuesday the appellate court granted him leave to be joined in the Judgement of Federal High Court Abakaliki.
The court also granted him leave to file his appeal to the same judgment immediately.
No cause for alarm – Ogba
Ogba in a statement on Thursday by his Media Aide, Godfrey Chikwere, urged his supporters and party faithful to be calm.
“Sen. Obinna Ogba is not relenting in his effort to return happiness and unity of purpose in Ebonyi through his legitimate quest to occupy the number one seat of Government and governance in Ebonyi State come 2023.
“The current event ranging from primary election to judicial processes is no doubt a calculated political distraction but anybody that is conversant with Senator Obinna Ogba’s political trajectory will understand that he has fought, worked and walked for any of his victory and political position with God and the people as his key focus.
“It is a matter of time and Ebonyi will be happy again. We therefore encourage all our followers to keep fate (sic) and hope alive because the victory is already in sight,” the statement read.
The senator also assured that everything politically and legally possible is being done to ensure that he retains the mandate giving to him by the delegates.
“Our case is like that of Emorji and Soludo in Anambra State. At the end the the people, party and court will be on the same page,” he added.
