From = Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Just few days to the commencement of general elections in Nigeria, the gubernatorial ambitions of certain chieftains of People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State is tearing the political party apart resulting into cold war, suspiciousness and suspense among members.
This is worrisome as the party loyalists complains that the major opposition political party has Less than three months to conduct their governorship primary in the State slated to hold this April while the INEC conduct governorship election of the State has been detailed to hold on Saturday 11th November,2023.
The bone of contention according to Chief Isreal Amadi, a chieftain of the party in the State but hailed from Umueze Ogwa in Mbaitoli council area of the state is the gubernatorial ambitions of Senator Sam Daddy Anyanwu and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha which he confirmed that it has factionalized the party.
The bickering and wranglings have heightened since last week the local media was awash with the reports that a delegation in support of the gubernatorial bid of Ihedioha, had visited former Vice President of Nigeria and PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and top party leaders to adopt Ihedioha as the political party’s Imo State sole governorship candidate.
Though there was no independent confirmation of the story, but there are strong indications in the media that some pro Ihedioha forces are pushing for his adoption as sole guber candidate of the party.
A staunch member of Rebuild Imo Campaign Organization of Ihedioha, Chief Mathew Olumba, had early this week called on PDP National Secretary, Anyanwu, not to contest for the Imo PDP gubernatorial ticket on the basis he is the National Secretary of the party.
Anyanwu is seriously believed to be eyeing the gubernatorial ticket of the party through the activities of his galvanized grassroots Say Samdaddy ! Yes Samdaddy Campaign Organization and this has set the stage for an invigorated cold war with Ihedioha supporters.
It’s pertinent to recall that late last year 17 local government Chairmen of the party were suspended, on allegations that they wanted to remove the State Party Chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwu alleged to be foisted by Ihedioha and in serious sympathy with his aspiration.
The 17 Chairmen were alleged to have soft spot for Anyanwu’s ambition.
However, to enthrone perceived peace and unity of purpose, the suspension order was later reversed by the National leadership of the party led by Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
Moreso, the constitution of the Atiku Campaign Council, in Imo State, had also generated fuss between Ihedioha and Anyanwu camps.
Though the matter was resolved by the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign team, there is still obvious love lost in the Campaign Council in Imo State, as loyalists of Ihedioha and Anyanwu in the Council, operates separately seeing each other as an archy political enemies.
While Ihedioha remains the Chairman of Presidential Campaign Council and holds meetings pertaining to the Council in his residence with his line up, Hon. Greg Egu, the Director General of the Campaign Council and a known loyalist of Anyanwu, holds his own meetings with his supporters in the PCC office at Okigwe Road, Owerri.
This underscores the depth of the feud between Ihedioha and Anyanwu political camps. The frosty relationship has nose dived to the extent that Anyanwu has never attended any of the presidential campaigns in the State which Ihedioha leads, similarly Ihedioha has not been seen in any of the presidential campaigns Anyanwu is in attendance.
As the elections draws near, there are prayers that the duo will close ranks for PDP to make impact in the State.
