PDP Expulsion: My Candidature Not Threatened – Nnamani

Former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani has said he remains the authentic Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial candidate representing Enugu East.

The lawmaker stated this in a statement on Tuesday while reacting to claims that his expulsion from the PDP has nullified his candidacy as the party’s Senatorial candidate.

Nnamani’s candidacy had, since his expulsion, been under contention as Section 65(2b) provides that a person shall be qualified for election under subsection (1) of this section if (b) he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that party.

Section 221 of the constitution further added that “No association, other than a political party, shall canvas for votes for any candidate at any election.”

However, the Electoral Act, 2022 (Amended) Section 33 states that “a political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act except in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate.”

But according to the Enugu East Senator, his inclusion in the final list of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) senatorial candidates has cleared him for Saturday’s election.

Nnamani, who asserted that his candidature for the election is neither threatened, appealed to his constituents to come out en masse to vote for him in Saturday’s Senatorial election.

The former governor urged the people of the state to be law-abiding and asked the people to allow for peaceful conduct of the elections.

He said, “In Enugu East Senatorial zone, there is no vacancy. Ignore any insinuation to the contrary assuring that he is mentally and psychologically prepared for Saturday’s election.”

Nnamani assured his constituents of continued effective and quality representation in the Senate, saying that Enugu East will get her fair share of dividends of democracy.

He added, “I will be fair and just to all, whatever your interest and concerns will always be my mission and purpose in the Senate.”