Rt.Hon. Emeka Stanley
By Felix Uka, Abakaliki
The decision by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia state to postponed indefinitely the state Congress of the party earlier scheduled for Tuesday March 24 could be a blessing to the party as it is expected to afford the leadership of the party in the state and the Governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and other critical stakeholders of the party quality time to choose suitable candidate for the position of the state Chairman of the party.
Abinitio, members of the PDP in the state made up of elected leaders of the party and major stakeholders led by the Governor Dr. Ikpeazu had resolved to cede the position of chairman of the party to Abia south senatorial zone of the state specifically to the ukwa area of the zone made up of ukwa East and ukwa west local government Areas.
This was sequel to the unanimous adoption of the resolution of the Congress committee led by Arc. Benson Ezem and which was mandated by the party to come up with a fair and equitable formula for the Congress in the state.
This party decision threw open the position of chairman to all political gladiators from ukwa who felt they are capable of leading the Party into success in the next elections come 2023.
But in the search for who leads the party from ukwa, PDP leaders in the State should ensure that they make a choice of a chairman who will not break the goodwill and victorious stronghold already enjoyed by party in previous elections where it has won convincingly in all elections since the advent of the present political dispensation in 1999.
The choice must be a strong character who will consolidate on the successes previously enjoyed by the party in the state.
It is almost clear that the people of Ukwa west are out of the contest though no clear reason yet for their stepping outside thus leaving the contest on ukwa east people.
And from Ukwa East are two strong contenders in the person of Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley and Rt Hon Asiforo Okere.
It is crystal clear that the choice of the party amongst these duo may make or mar the fortunes of the party as we head into the general election come 2023.
Looking at the political pedigree of both contestants, Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley and Rt Hon. Asiforo Okere, both of them can be said to be qualified for the job on paper but the party should consider certain criteria to match their suitability for the position.
Rt Hon Emeka Stanley from Obohia Ndoki, was a former ukwa east deputy chairman and later substantive chairman. He was also deputy speaker of the Abia state House of Assembly, former commissioner for works, former special Adviser to the then Governor, Chief T A Orji, former member House of representatives and later commissioner and chairman of the Abia state Oil Areas Development Commission(ASOPADEC). A dogged and tested politician.
His opponent from Ohuru Ndoki, Rt. Hon. Asiforo Okere was a three term member of the Abia state House of Assembly and later Speaker. He was former commissioner for Energy and Solid minerals and former special Adviser to the present Governor on local government and chieftaincy Affairs.
Emeka Stanley is a grassroots politician who has flourishing political structures established across the state which have successfully helped his party in winning all elections both in the local government and the state.
He is the founder and sole sponsor of the famous Unity Club lnternational with membership across local governments of the state. He also has other viable political structures including the Ofuobi International Club, Dynamic Friends Organization and over twenty other Pro- PDP groups that he is either a co- Founder or Patron.
Political observers in the state believe that Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley has made sacrifices and dedication in the service of the party in the state with eloquent testimonies which have translated into major electoral victories for the PDP in the state and nation at large.
He is a dynamic, resourceful, disciplined and rugged politician whose wealth of experience has help in galvanising total grassroots victory recorded by the PDP both in his local government and the state.
He possesses political profile, sagacity, clout, popularity and humane disposition, charisma and imposing personality expected of a chairman of the ruling party in the state for the battle ahead 2023.
His intimidating political development is always a threat to most stakeholders in his council but many leaders of the Party in the state see him is the most appropriate and suitable candidate for the plum party job.
A political stalwart from Ukwa east local government Area of the state Hon Victor Chibuzor Jnr.speaking on the choice before the party said ” both candidates are all worthy sons of Ndoki Land but we are looking at capacity of the duo to lead the party and sustain electoral victories for the party in the state and nation at large”
He said” Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley is an astute politician who has been at all political positions both at the legislative and executive positions having served in all capacity. We all know him and cannot doubt his ever ability to deliver”
Hon Chibuzo said ” Ndoki people should be able to present a candidate who has the charm, boldness and general acceptability across the three senatorial zones of the state to the party and for me I think the cap fits Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley ”
He said ” mind you we’re talking about leading a large party like PDP, you need a stable character , a man of integrity who cannot compromise the fate of the party no matter what happens. We all know what happened in ukwa east in 2015 and 2019 when many of the PDP leaders in the local government area compromised with other parties against the PDP but only Rt. Hon. Emeka Stanley stood his ground and delivered his ward”
He called on PDP leaders in the state to investigate what happened within the party in the local government in both 2015 and 2019
election before handing over the party to someone from the local government.
He said ” we need a socialite, grassroots mobilizer and people oriented politician who is tune with his people on ground with the wisdom to mingle and reconcile people and not one that is aloof with his people and only come around during election. Our party should make independent investigation and not rely solely on some biased stakeholders ”
He said “the party shouldn’t be led by an introvert who lives poles far from the people. The Party should go to the various villages where both candidates come from make their investigation to form their opinion of choice. I wish my great doesn’t make mistake this time”
