The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East zone has been thrown into a crisis over the selection of the national secretary of the party, which has been zoned to the region.
Former member of the National Assembly, Senator Sam Anyanwu, backed by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), had been projected as the region’s candidate for the post, but former governors and other stakeholders in the South-East have rejected the choice.
Among those kicking against Anyanwu are former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi; former Imo state governors, Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha.
Their rejection of the serving governors’ candidate followed a meeting on October 14 in Enugu where the zones was supposed to agree on a consensus candidate for the post.
Presided over by Uguanyi, the meeting was said to be inconclusive as the party chieftains were unable to reach a common ground.
Senator Anyanwu’s name was nonetheless announced as the choice of the southeast, riling other party stakeholders in the region.
They are now accusing governors Uguanyi and Ikpeazu of seeking to impose Anyanwu on the region despite his non-acceptance by many of the party leaders.
While vowing to reject Anyanwu, a southeast PDP chieftain Chief Madu Chinemerem, who is a National Ex-Officio from Imo State, confirmed in a statement Sunday that the Enugu meeting was stalemated, saying that Anyanwu’s choice was, therefore, a mystery to attendees.
He said: “What transpired at the PDP meeting held on Thursday 14th October at Enugu hosted by Governor Ugwuanyi can best be described as a stalemate.
“The meeting certainly didn’t elect Sam daddy Anyanwu to represent the South East as PDP National Secretary.
“Gov Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu came to the meeting and just announced the selection of Sen Anyanwu. Most of the people who attended vehemently objected to it and refused. to accept it.
“The entire Anambra delegation led by Peter Obi rejected it. Imo delegates led by former Govs Emeka Ihedioha and Achike Udenwa also rejected it.
“The State Chairmen of some of the states also said no. The meeting ended without any agreement.
“What was most annoying to South-East leaders was that Sen Sam daddy Anyanwu is being imposed on them by a Governor from South-South who nominated him.
“He is forcing down his choice on the govs from the South East, just because he serves as his Special Assistant.
“The meeting was also attended by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Uche Ekwunife, and many others. Most of them didn’t agree with the imposition of Sam daddy Anyanwu as Secretary as he wasn’t a product of the zone.
“I am very conversant with everything that transpired at the meeting and I can say without fear of contradiction that what was reported as South East Zone PDP consensus is a figment of the imagination of the author of the press release. It does not in any way whatsoever, reflect the outcome of the Enugu meeting. It is unfortunate.
“Definitely Anambra and the Imo States have better materials for the office if it is zoned to them.”
Credit: Nigerian Tribune