From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
Barely four days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, scheduled on Saturday February 25,there are indications that the PDP,Wwhich is the ruling party in Enugu state,will maintain it’s firm grip of Enugu West senatorial district of the state, amidst fears of credible challenge from Lbbour party for control of the zone.
This stems from the fact that the stakeholders of the party in the zone have maintained their absolute loyalty and membership of the party while welcoming stalwarts fron other political parties to it’s fold.
The latest in the series was the huge declaration of a former caretaker state chairman of Enugu state APC,Prince Chikwado Chukwunta and his followers to work for the success of the state PDP governorship candidate, Dr Peter Mbah and all other PDP candidates contesting various elective positions in the district
Prince Chukwunta and his group made the declaration during the Enugu West senatorial district solidarity rally, held at Awgu Township stadium on Sunday. February 19,describing Dr Peter Mbah as veqy fit to be the next governor of Enugu state,in view of his experience in both the private sector and government business.
With thousands of his supporters who thronged the Awgu Township stadium,the former Enugu APC caretaker chairman said he owes nobody or group any apology for the decision to join forces with PDP in Enugu state in the coming election. stating it is in the overall interest of moving Enugu state and Enugt West senatorial district, which is his district forward.
Checks revealed that Prince Chikwado Chukwunta ana his group declaration of supqort for Enugu state PDP candidates is connected to the prevailing unresolved lingering crisis rocking the Enugu state chapter of APC.
It would be recalled that a frontline member of Enugu state APC,Hon A.C. Udeh, who is referred as Chairman,Mainstream Enugu APC by his loyalists, a fortnight ago was quoted in the media as supporting Dr Peter Mbah’s One billion naira libel suit against Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, the current Enugu state APC chairman.
As it stands,the candidates of PDP in Enugu West senatorial district who have massively taken their campaigns to the grass roots with maximum support from stakeholders of the zone cut across the traditional institution, the political class, Professional bodies,Youth organizations etc include Engr.Osita Ngwu, who is contesting to be the next senator of the zone, after Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who will complete his fifth term as Enugu West district senator,at the end of this dispensation.
Others Engr Dr Anayo Onwuegbu gunning as next Federal lawmaker of Aninri/Awgu/Oji River federal constituency, to take over from Hon Toby Okechukwu, who is currently on his third term. Hon Dr Festus Uzor,the current chief of staff to Governor Ugwuanyi, also in the race on the platform of PDP for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency.
Dr Uzor is gunning to replace Hon Amadi Oguerinwa,who has joined labour party and is currently the Enugu West senatorial candidate of Labour party in the February 25,National assembly elections.
With Hon Oguerinwa from Udi/Ezeagu Federal constituency axis of Enugu West district and Dr John Nwokeabia from Greater Awgu axis as Enugu state Labour Party running mate to Hon Chhijioke Edeoga,from all indication is the only challenge PDP will encounter in it’s struggle to maitain it’s strong hold of Enugu West senatorial zone.
