From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Prior to the 2023 general elections, the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) boasts of its strong hold of Enugu state politics since the commencement of the present democratic dispensation in 1999. The party owed no person any apology about that.
However, the political dynamism that metamorphosed into the birth of Labour Party in the nation’s politics rocked the boat for PDP in Enugu state to a very large extent.
The PDP which controlled the 24 member state house of assembly members, three Senate seats and an all right member House of Representatives,by dint of luck retained the governorship seat of the state. The margin by which Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah,the PDP governorship candidate outscored Hon.Chijioke Edeoga was very minimal.
In the National Assembly, the Labour party upturned the record, having produced Senator Kelvin Ugwu as the serving senator of Enugu East Senatorial district and Senator Okey Ezea for Enugu North Senatorial district.
The PDP retained Enugu West Senatorial district with Senator Engr. Osita Ngwu,who campaigned vigorously to damn the spiralling waves of Labour party and it’s candidate,Hon.Amadi.
The PDP in Enugu state suffered the same ugly fate in the House of Representatives. With only Hon.Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, representing Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency and Hon.Nnoli Nnaji of Nkanu East/Nkanu West constituency, the rest six members are products of Labour party.
The PDP and LP almost shared the 24 member of the state house of assembly based on the result of the 2023 state assembly election. However,political meandering and cross carpeting of some of the legislators elected on the platform of LP, has enabled the PDP to have a higher majority of the state legislators…
Though the political sentiments and gimmicks generated by the Labour party as a tribal party of Ndigbo took it’s toll, but the influence of the man behind it’s mask in Enugu state, Hon.Chjioke Edeoga, did the havoc.
Hon.Edeoga who lost in the PDP guber primaries to Governor Peter Mbah, picked up the Enugu LP governorship ticket and still enjoys the sympathy of his supporters from PDP while securing more support from newly registered LP members..
The machinations of the 2023 political dynamism in Enugu state even though is past but is an experience that will help to guide the future.
Hence it’s not unusual that the PDP which still holds the political power in Enugu state even though leanly is plotting to have firm grip of the state once again in future elections.
Ironically, that informed the reason of the visit of Enugu PDP executives led by the state Chairman,Dr Martins Chukwunweike to Hon.Chijioke Edeoga’s house in Enugu few days ago.
It would be recalled that Hon. Chijioke Edeoga was one of the bedrocks of PDP in Enugu state, who rose to stardom in his political carrier so far on the platform of PDP.
The gentleman PDP chairman in Enugu state, Dr Martin Chukwunweike openly admitted before newsmen that the aim of the visit was to lure Hon. Edeoga back to PDP where he belonged.
Chukwunweike stated, “We have had a lot of discussions before now and today I came to his house with the members of my executives , the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, and Publicity Secretary, and he is okay and satisfied with our visit. I believe, from what he told us, that we are going to have him back to the party. The only thing is that being somebody, who is not standing alone, who has people who are his team members, it is only right that he should also consult before coming to give us the expected verdict so that we will all go into the next election united as one family that we have always been. We know and we are confident that PDP under Dr. Peter Mbah will eventually become what it used to be as the only party in Enugu State.
Dr Chukwunweike stated further, “Importantly, he has asked us to tell the governor that he has seen all his good works; that even the blind man can see the good roads. So, our visit has been very successful and when next we will call you , it will be for him to tell you what I call the expected response”.
Edeoga concurred that the visit of Dr Martins Chukwunweike led PDP in Enugu state was to lure him back to PDP fold. But he told them that he has to make consultations.
His words, “Yes, the leadership of PDP in Enugu State came to see me, demanding I should come back to the PDP and I told them I will consult widely because I am a product of several men and women of goodwill. I have enormous respect for the team and the Chairman, but it is not in the nature of Igbo people to hear such a weighty thing and respond immediately. I am going to take it home and I will as early as possible get back to the Chairman and my position will be known. But it has been a wonderful meeting of brothers and former allies”.
The AUTHORITY Newspaper checks revealed that the visit of the Enugu state PDP executives to Hon.Chijioke Edeoga has opened a new version of politics in Enugu state with tension on both PDP and Labour party.
Reacting to this development, A Labour Party chieftain in Enugu State, Emmanuel Ike-Jonathan, Esq, who spoke to newsmen at the weekend, hailed Edeoga for promising “to consult widely” before responding to PDP Executives request.
Emmanuel Jonathan, “It is a confirmation that he truly believes that he is a product of the people’s mandate.”
“The outcome of the 2023 general election in which Labour Party won two of the three Senate seats, seven of the eight House of Representatives seats and 14 of the 24 House of Assembly seats in the state demand that Edeoga should as a matter of courtesy and respect consult his supporters before making any political movement or decision”.
“If the LP in Enugu State did not put up an impressive outing in the 2023 general election, Gov Mbah and his party leadership will not be wooing Edeoga to return to PDP. We rejected monies and other forms of gratifications to ensure that LP took over the state.”
He urged LP supporters to remain steadfast in their commitment, respect and love for Edeoga.
From all indications,Hon.Chijioke EDEOGA is really under pressure to return to PDP. He is also under pressure not to leave Labour party,where he has enjoyed overwhelming support.
Political analysts are arguing whether it will be possible for Governor to surrender the 2027 governorship ticket of PDP to Edeoga as a condition to bring Edeogs back to PDP fold. Again,,What will be the condition of the two senators of Enugu state produced by the Labour party,LP and the six House of Representatives. Whether the PDP will them automatic tickets..
Another school of thought expressed the view that it highly impossible for the PDP and LP in Enugu state to emerge as one party ahead of the 2027 General elections on the argument that the Labour party has opened new grounds and opportunities for some politicians who were hitheto submerged by the PDP umbrella..
Until Edeoga decides, Enugu state awaits a new version of politicking ahead of 2027 general elections.
