Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
A candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in the 2023 general election, Mr Joseph Nwobashi, has dispelled the rumor making the rounds that he had withdrawn from the race
Nwobashi, a former Majority leader in Ebonyi State House of Assembly, spoke to Journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
He said he had no plans to withdraw for someone as being speculated in some quarters.
He called on his supporters to remain calm and law abiding as there was no truth in the rumour of his withdrawal from the race.
He, however, acknowledged that he was being approached to step down for another person from the constituency, but noted that he had no intention to do so.
He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant agencies to note that he never withdrew from the race.
Mr Nwobashi said he has faced several attacks and threats to step down for a lawmaker from the area.
Nwobashi said: “The primary election for House of Representatives in APGA was conducted on 27th May 2022, in Ebonyi State, and I won the ticket to represent Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency.
“Our names were sent to the national secretariat of our party after the primaries and certificates of return have been issued to all of us that won in Ebonyi State.
“Recently, I have been receiving attacks from someone who wants me to step down for him. I have also been receiving same attacks from his supporters.
“But I want to make it public that I have not stepped down for anyone and have no intention to step down for anyone.
“I want to assure my supporters to remain calm and law abiding, that my ticket is intact and I’m fully in the race.
“So, I want to notify the INEC and other relevant agencies to take note, that should there be any notice to them that I have withdrawn, they should disregard it.”
On the allegation that he agreed to withdraw for somebody, he said, “There is no time I agreed to step down for anybody.”
