Nigeria Content Online

The All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP) may pick its presidential candidate for the 2011
general elections on Friday January 14, 2011 , this was learnt in Abuja
yesterday.

The presidential
primaries will hold a day to the January 15 deadline set by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for parties to hold
their primaries. Among those seeking the ticket of the party to vie for
the nation’s highest office are the governor of Kano State, Ibrahim
Shekarau, presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican
Convention (NRC), Bashir Tofa, who is also from Kano; Harry Akande,a
businessman from Oyo State; and Dauda Birma, a former minister from
Adamawa State.

Also, the National
Assembly candidates may emerge on Saturday January 8 , 2010 while
Tuesday January 11, has been fixed for the primary election of the
governorship and state houses of assembly candidates.

The dates of the
primaries are, however, subject to ratification by the National
Executive Committee (NEC), which meets today in Abuja. The National
Working Committee (NWC)pick the dates at its meeting in Abuja last
Monday. It was presided over by the national chairman, Ogbonnaya Onu.

Although, the
details of the decisions taken at the meeting, which lasted hoursare
still sketchy, it was gathered that the NWC members agreed not to
attend the formal declaration of any candidate for any of the elective
position.

Our source said the
decision was taken to forestall suspicion that they are rooting for any
particular candidate. It,however, resolved to back and campaign for all
candidates that will emerge after the primaries in accordance with the
party’s constitution.

It was further
gathered that the working committee decided that the party will keep
its doors open to other parties who may enter into alliance to brighten
its electoral chances. This is also in view of the fact that some
aspirants who have popularity in some parts of the country may decide
to defect to the ANPP.

The party
spokesman, Emma Eneukwu confirmed yesterday that the NEC will meet
today to ratify the decisions of the NWC. However, he said the dates
for the governorship and the other primary election are not too clear
for now.

“Yes, I think the
presidential primaries will hold on January 14, but I can not readily
say when the others are holding until after the NEC meeting tomorrow,”
Mr Eneukwu said.