State Congress: Mass Defection Looms In Enugu PDP, Ugwuanyi Accused of Imposing Candidates

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Thursday, May 5th, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Mass defection of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressive Congress, APC is seriously looming in Enugu state, following the alleged imposition of candidates by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in the ongoing congresses of the party in the state.

AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that unless the governor immediately changes his political arithmetic in the exercise, the alleged imposition of unpopular candidates many likely tear the party apart in the state, as scores of its members are already threatening to dump the umbrella for the broom after the congresses.

Already, Parallel Ward congresses and fracas, trailed last saturday’s exercise in almost all the17 local government areas of the state.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s scheduled local government congress is said to be the last stroke that may break the carmel’s back as major stakeholders are aggrieved over rumour making the rounds that the Governor has given a marching order that all the incumbent council party chairmen, including the unpopular ones, be returned at the congress.

Also, another rumour had it that the Governor, has allegedly single handedly penciled down a sacked former commissioner for Agriculture in the state, and immediate past Vice Chancellor of a University of Agriculture Umudike Abia state, Professor Hillary Edoga, to become the state chairman of the PDP in the state.

But the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Okey Eze, has denied any such

plan.

He said that the congress of the party which started last weekend with election of ward executives has progressed smoothly, adding , that those complaining “ are minority persons who will only identify with the party when there are vacant positions”.

Some major stakeholders in the party who spoke with newsmen, under condition of anonymity on Wednesday in Enugu said the move by the Governor is a death knell for the PDP in the state.

They said there is growing anger in the party which will burst at the congresses if what the Governor is alleged to have said comes to fruition.

Hear one of them: “My brother the truth is that so many people in Enugu state are not happy as I talk to you now.

“How can you say that the local government party chairmen in all the councils should be returned, So why is the party conducting congress?

“Some of these local government party chairmen like in Enugu East local government have held the position for 16 years, and have become gods.

“Well, if that is the position of the Governor, then am afraid some of us will vacate the Party for them and look elsewhere,” said the PDP stalwart who craved unanimous.

Our Correspondent further gathered that the issue of who becomes the next state chairman of PDP is another logjam for Governor Ugwuanyi, as the Deputy senate president, chief Ike Ekweremadu, is also interested in producing the state chairman of the party.

Whereas, a certain commissioner in the state is said to have resigned on the order of the Governor, to take over the position zoned to Enugu East senatorial zone, the Governor is also accused of playing a double game of throwing up the former university don.

Some of the stakeholders noted that it was similar lack of internal democracy that brought about PDP loss of presidential power and some states that were previously PDP states.

They argued that a sacked public officer in the state cannot be made the state chairman of the party if there is anything like integrity remaining with the party when there are credible party stalwarts from Nkanu land jostling for the position.