Former Secretary to Anambta State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Monday, completed the quartet of top contenders for the seat of Anambra State Chief Executive in November.
He emerged winner of the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State.
Obaze polled a total of 672 of the 958 votes up for grabs to beat Alex Obi-Ogbolu, who scored 190 votes, and Ifeanyi Ubah, with 94 votes.
Easily the topmost contender in Anambra is sitting Governor Willie Obiano, of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA); but he is not guaranteed smooth sailing with the PDP candidate; All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Tony Nwoye, whose party rules at the centre and is desperate to have another Governor in the South East to join Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.
But that appears a tall order because APC is viewed with deep-seated distrust by the Igbos following its skewed appointments against the ethnic group from Abuja; and comments credited to President Muhammadu Buhari which suggested they were not his priority.
Also, the travails of the driver of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is seen as an onslaught by the APC against Igbos, though a majority do not buy into his agenda.
The candidate of the United Peoples Party (UPP), Osita Chidoka, may create an upset only if he gets a backing from disgruntled losers from the three other parties. If not, he may wait longer to be Governor of the politically volatile State.
Media reports said six aspirants had indicated interest to be the Anambra PDP candidate, but two others – John Emeka and Linda Ikpeazu – dropped before the process began. The sixth, Senator Stella Oduah, did not show up for the primaries.