Our Correspondent Ovat Mike, examines the crisis that is currently rocking the People Democratic Party (PDP), in Anambra State and efforts being made to end the differences ahead of the 2023 general elections.
From indications, all is not well with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State. The party is trapped in the web of leadership crisis between the camp of Chief Chris Uba and the immediate past Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, in which information has it that he has the backing of the former governor of the state and the party’s 2023 Presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi, over who control the affairs of PDP in Anambra state.
While Chris Uba is insisting that the state leaders and supporters of the party should accord him the respect as one of the founder of PDP in the state, the respect to control and elect the state executive of his choice and the Nwobu-led- faction opposed the decision saying the process must follow the wishes of members democratically.
News Echo gathered that the internal wrangling within Anambra PDP was exposed after the November 6, 2021 governorship election that led to the victory of Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). And shortly after the election that gave PDP second position, the crisis skyrocket that lead to the suspension of Chris Uba and Linus Ukachukwu over alleged anti-party activities.
The suspension of the duo was contained in a letter written by the acting chairman of the PDP in the state, Comrade Okey Asolo and the Publicity Secretary, Mr Nnamdi Nwangwu, which was addressed to the National Chairman, Dr Iyorcha Ayu.
The letter stated that the PDP, as a dominant political party in the state “cannot be left at the whims and caprices of few individuals”.
Both Uba and Ukachukwu were accused of secretly working with other political parties to ensure that PDP go into extinction in the state.
The state executive members of the party noted that if the accused persons continue to be in the party, the party may not field any candidate for the 2023 general elections.
The letter was signed by the acting state Chairman, Comrade Okey Asolo and Publicity Secretary, Nnamdi Nwangwu, and dated April 2, 2022, and copied to the national chairman.
Part of the letter read, “Re: Suspension of Chief Chris Uba and Chief Linus Ukachukwu from the PDP Anambra state chapter.”
“Arising from our executive committee meeting held on April 2, 2022, at the party’s secretariat, Anambra State and having thoroughly X-rayed the problems of the party and activities in respect of the forthcoming 2023 general election, on further evaluation of the party’s electoral misfortunes in recent past viz-a-viz the anti party activities, abuse of privileges of the above party members, who had previously caused unimaginable damages to the electoral fortunes and stability of our great party.
“And to forestall their evil plans and that of their agents, the executive committee of Anambra State PDP in our meeting April 2, 2022, resolved to wit: That pursuant to sections 58(1) a-m and 59 of the constitution of PDP 2017 as amended, Chief Christian Uba and Chief Linus Ukachukwu are hereby suspended from the party in Anambra State for a period of 30 days with effect from April 2, 2022.
“Both Uba and Ukachukwu will be referred to the disciplinary committee for further investigation and all necessary actions.”
But in turn, Uba fought back to enable him participate in the 2023 Senatorial election for Anambra South Senatorial District, which was later screen to participate in the forthcoming party primaries.
The crisis has gotting the intervention of the party national leadership and many prominent party men/women, including former Minister of Women Affairs, Chief Josephine Anenith, Prof. ABC Nwosu, Senator Ben Obi, Senator Uche Ekwunife, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, among other leaders in the South East region and to no avail.
As it stands, the party has no executive in Anambra state which has denied members from welcoming and meeting with the party Presidential aspirants.
It was gathered that due the leadership tussle, since the commencement of the 2023 election tour by the Presidential aspirants, only one aspirant, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has consulted Anambra state PDP for votes.
From findings, the party is further divided over interest. Some are for the son of the soul, Mr. Peter Obi why others are against his ambition.
Leaders believed the affairs of the party should not be dictated by individuals.
The tussle also lead to the suspension of its the State Congress which was earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, April 30, 2022, to elect new state executive officers for the party ahead of the 2023 election in the state.
The party said the suspension was due to inability to provide original copies of result sheets for the the electoral exercise.
The Panel Chairman, Jubril Ahmed, who read the letter of the suspension/apology, before the aggrieved members of party, at state secretariat Awka, said a new date for the PDP Anambra State Congress will be communicated as soon as it is decided by the national leadership, in which the national body has fixed the exercise for Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 in all the trouble PDP states.
“The Panel regrets the inconveniences the announced suspension of the Anambra State PDP Congress may have caused.
The letter was received on behalf of the State administrative officer of the party, Prince Casmir Ajulu.
At the hit up, the 5-man Congress panel, led by Jibrin Ahmed, were held hostage for hours by the party’s stakeholders over their inability to present original result sheets.
The stakeholders, mostly, the 125 aspirants, raise the alarm over looming disqualification as a result of a failed state Congress exercise in the state.
Honourable Onyebuchi Agustine Offor, a House of Representative aspirant for Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, who raises the Alam in a Communique on behalf of others, called on the National Chairman of the party, Prof. lyorcha Ayu, and the leadership of PDP to expeditiously repeat the state congress exercise, so as not to jeopardize their chances in the 2023 elections.
Specifically, eight aspirants have been cleared to contest, including Ozigbo. According to a certified document provided by a credible source from the PDP’s headquarters, Wadata House in Abuja, dated May 2, the screening committee for the National Assembly aspirants, chaired by Hon. Udeh Okoye, the committee cleared all the senatorial aspirants except Nzeribe. Others cleared are Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North), Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central), Chief Chris Uba (Anambra South), Valentine Ozigbo (Anambra South), Hon. Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Dr. Obinna Uzor (Anambra South), Mr. John Emeka and Peace Ezeabikwa respectively. The report showed that Nzeribe was disqualified for deliberately misleading the party in his nomination forms. With this development, the stage set for a battle of the gladiators in Anambra PDP’s ticket and the belief is that should the party insist on a free and fair primary election, personality and not financial muscle will determine where the pendulum would swing to.
All other aspirants for state and federal houses of Assembly were also cleared.
The immediate past state chairman, Chief Nwobu, who spoke with News Echo, on the way forward for the party, said members must ensure unity of purpose, if PDP must success in the 2023 elections.
He said the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra state, is willing to weed out the bad eggs amongst us and those who have made themselves ready tools in the hands of unpatriotic elements driven by over ambition.
“Our party is organised and peaceful. We shall not allow outsiders to infiltrate our ranks to foment any kind of trouble and bring about the continue crisis that have been managed in the past. Those who are responsible for our present challenges should not dare us as we shall bare our fangs if further provoked.”
Nwobu, said it was a few of the Anambra PDP leaders that are against the progress of the party.
“Our party should calm down. All I am asking the party members is to cool the temperature and look for what is good for the party in 2023. We have fought many battles and won majority of them. What we want at this moment is for us to be united, he added.
He alledged that some leaders of the party in the state are also praying fervently to ensure that Mr. Peter Obi, did not clinch the PDP Presidential ticket.
“Series of stakeholders meetings across the 21 local government areas are ongoing to resolved the differences, Nwobu stressed.
