From = Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Following the abysmal performance of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State during the just concluded presidential/National Assemblies elections,Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the one time Deputy Speaker House of Representatives and Senator Samuel Anyanwu ( Samdaddy), the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, are currently fighting dirty on how the campaign funds brought to the state for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential election were disbursed and managed.
While Samdaddy had recently alleged that some chieftains of the party, (PDP) in the state diverted the funds for the All Progressives Congress, Ihedioha who indirectly spoke through his former aide, Hon. Chinemerem Madu described Samdaddy as “treacherous and lacks capacity for his office”,
The inudorinate governorship ambition of these chieftains have instituted factionalization, bickering, wrangling, accusations and counter accusations among them and their supporters which is obviously inimical for an opposition political party that is participating for INEC conducting House of Assembly election this Saturday.
Madu insisted that the campaign funds were duly disbursed and that it was Samdaddy who betrayed PDP in the state and should be sanctioned.
According to the press statement issued by Madu within the week which informed that while Ihedioha won his polling unit in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area for the PDP, PDP lost at Samdaddy polling unit and ward in the Ikeduru LGA.
Part of the statement further read that, “I read with utter shock and disbelief the tissue of lies by the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu in another calculated plot to misrepresent our party in Imo State.
“This is the height of treachery and pettiness I have ever seen from someone that should know better but has chosen the path of shame.
“As a National Officer of the PDP, I was among the delegation that received the logistics for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential election and indeed witnessed the entire process of counterpart collection from Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, including disbursements. I dare say, that I have the capacity and locus to discuss this subject because I was involved.
“The Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Imo State, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu, Senatorial and House of Representatives candidates including leaders of the party were among the team that received the funds for the election.
“Upon return to Owerri, we (all the persons mentioned above) immediately went into a meeting at the Owerri residence of the PCC Chairman with more stakeholders in attendance.
“Prior to this time, the party in the state had engaged in painstaking meetings with Chairmen of the LGAs and Campaign Councils, candidates, stakeholders for five consecutive days where budget, planning and template were further articulated and firmed up. Important to state that IHEDIOHA provided effective leadership
“This template was strictly adhered to and funds were disbursed to a team of minimum of five leaders in each LGA;
They are,Chairman of Campaign Council,LGA Party Chairmen,Candidates,Apex leader,Stakeholders.
“The above was the minimum requirement for assessing the funds which disbursement was done in the open to the very last dime of the funds.
“It is trite to note that the frustrations and embarrassment for Samdaddy and his cohorts stem from Ihedioha’s insistence that logistics must be released only in an enlarged Campaign Council Meeting. Evidence abound of what everybody said during the first meeting and this may be made public if we’re pushed further.
“Recall that during the flagoff of the PDP Presidential campaign in Imo State, Hon. Greg Egu, a self-acclaimed associate of our Presidential candidate, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar GCON, and Samdaddy’s nominee for the position of the Director of the Presidential Campaign Management Organisation, Imo State, brazenly confiscated almost 50 percent of the money released for the rally, ostensibly on Samdaddy’s instruction and till date, Samdaddy has not felt compelled to talk about it.
“Has that matter been swept under the carpet? It is on record that Rt. Hon. IHEDIOHA calmed the situation and saved the party from an avoidable implosion. Even till now, Hon. Greg Egu is yet to account for funds.
“Senator Anyanwu and his cohorts should at this point, acknowledge the fact that their gimmicks do not gain any public interest. Their activities and sponsors are known to the public. And they will be put to shame soon. Those that wish our party doom shall see the glory of the party soon.
“In Imo State in the last election, It is on record that in line with his alliance with the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, Senator Anyanwu asked his associates and other people within his loop to work against our presidential candidate, His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar. But the directive was rebuffed and the people rather voted for the LP and humiliated him in his polling unit.
