Why Emeka Nwajiuba Boycotted APC Presidential Primaries – Brother, Professor Nwajiuba

By Gideon Njoku

He, did not want to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar -Professor Nwajiuba

For those wondering why the immediate past Minister for State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and a Presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC was absent at the Presidential Primaries, wonder no more.

From his brother, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, an explanation has come.

Even though many people were taken aback when he declared interest in the office of the President, Emeka Nwajiuba showed a strength of character once he made up his mind to run.

He was amongst the first to pay the sum of N100m for the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms. Taken to task on how he was able to afford it, he was the only aspirant who tried to explain how. He sold thousands of yam tubers, it was gathered, and added to the donations from hundreds of people and interest groups who believed in his ability.

And, long before President Muhammadu Buhari asked his cabinet members interested in elective offices to quit their positions, he had, on his own, resigned, and  earned commendation from the President who recommended him to his colleagues, a number of who were reluctant to resign.  They wanted to eat their cake and still have it.

However, a number of people began to sense that things were not quite right when Nwajiuba was absent at the valedictory session for departing Ministers. There was no explanation. The climax was his absence at the Primaries.

According to his brother, Professor Nwajiuba, the former Minister boycotted what he stopped short of calling a charade and an injustice against the South-east. He was disillusioned and disappointed at the turn of events.

The Professor said his brother entered the race with the understanding that the Presidential ticket was to come to the South-east.

“The understanding from the highest levels prior to his involvement, and considering his role in the founding of the APC, was that of consensus as was with the National Chairmanship a few months ago.”

With that understanding, he thought it would go to his Zone, the South-east.

Said Professor Nwajiuba:  “This has been the hope till the end of negotiations. He, not wanting to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar, is convinced that what Nigeria needs now is no more of the same thing that has kept Nigeria at the low level it has been.”

Following, Professor Nwajiuba’s explanation of Emeka Nwajiuba’s boycott of the APC Presidential Primaries.

“Many friends are calling to find out why my brother, Dr. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba did not come out to address the APC convention.

“Simple: The understanding from the highest levels prior to his involvement, and considering his role in the founding of the APC, was that of consensus as was with the National Chairmanship a few months ago.

“With that understanding, the Presidential ticket was to come to the South, and the southeast.

“This has been the hope till the end of the negotiations. He, not wanting to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar, is convinced that what Nigeria needs now is no more of the same thing that has kept Nigeria at the low level it has been.

“Our challenges as a country cannot be addressed at the same energy  level by which they were created

“God order our footsteps towards a better life for all Nigerians.

God bless you.

“Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba,

Umuezeala-Nsu,  Imo state, Southeast, Nigeria”