Barrister Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive of Action Alliance (AA) has insisted that Mr John Ikeotuonye remains its candidate ahead of November 6 2021 Anambra State governorship election.
The party in a statement issued from the national headquarters in Abuja on Sunday, said that it has no intention to substitute Ikeotuonye with another person, stressing that his candidacy remained legitimate and authentic.
The statement titled ‘Disclaimer’, signed by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A. James, made available to the press on Sunday, described as “Fake News” rumours making round that Ikeotuonye had beei substituted with Chief Ben Etiaba, stressing that such insinuations were wrong and uncalled for.
The statement reads: “The attention of the national leadership of our great party, Action Alliance (AA), has been drawn to fake news going round that one Chief Ben Etiaba is the candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for the upcoming November 6, 2021 Anambra State governorship election.
“That is not correct, it is misleading and should be disregarded by the party faithful across Nigeria and the general public.
“The only legitimate and authentic Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election remains John Okechukwu Ikeotuonye and the party has not substituted him for any other person as John Okechukwu Ikeotuonye has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to the good people of Anambra State.
“The Action Alliance (AA) leadership at all levels have confidence in him.
“It is also in the public domain that the said Chief Ben Etiaba has been a member of All Progressives Congresses (APC) and resigned his APC membership on August 4, 2021 when the time for substitution of candidates by political parties has since elapsed on July 30, 2021 according to INEC time table and schedules of activities for Anambra State governorship elections.
“It is not possible for him to have replaced the candidate of Action Alliance (AA) while being a member of APC as at the time of substitution of candidates by political parties.
‘We vehemently disclaim one Chief Ben Etiaba as the candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for the upcoming Anambra state governorship election because he is not a member of our party.”
