The adoption surprised many observers who regarded the move as unusual because LP members joined other politicians in the group to effectively sideline the Labour Party senatorial candidate, Mrs. Ireti Kingibe, who has contested the lone Senate seat four times now and placed the contestant in a very difficult position considering the percentage of votes from southern and middle belt residents that may now tilt the balance in favour of APGA.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, where the APGA candidate was presented to the public, the Chairman of the Middle Belt/Southern Concourse, Com. Olisa Uzoewulu [Wulus] stated that the decision to adopt Dr. Anthony as Middle Belt/Southern candidate for the FCT Senatorial election was made in the interest of equity, moral, ethical and social considerations.
