By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The sudden and dramatic withdrawal of the frontline Presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi from the party on Wednesday has set the camp of the fold ablaze across Anambra and other states in the Southeast geo-political zone.
Investigations revealed that more key political actors with a stake in the PDP have bid bye to the party ahead of the 2023 elections.
In Enugu State, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu had announced his withdrawal from PDP’s governorship primary election billed for Wednesday, May 25.
Ekweremadu’s non-participation followed the withdrawal of two aspirants, Capt. Evarest Nnaji and Denge Joseph Onoh.
Also, in Anambra state, resignation and withdrawal fever hit PDP in the nooks and crannies of the various Senatorial districts of the state.
Among the bigwigs who have withdrawn from contests under the platform of the PDP include Tony Nwoye who withdrew from the Anambra North Senatorial race, and Lady and Juliet Anaeme àlso has withdrawn from the House of Assembly contest for Ekwusigo state constituency and resigned from PDP.
Chief Andrew Onwurah Azike contesting for Aguata Federal Constituency withdrew from the contest and resigned from PDP while Hon Obiora Chira called it quits from contesting the House of Reps in Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency under the platform of the PDP.
Heavy security as APC holds governorship primary in Lagos
On his part, Hon Idu Emeka has withdrawn from contesting for the House of Representatives for Onitsha North/South federal constituency.
This is as the chances of the incumbent senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah brightens following the dramatic withdrawal of the PDP have gubernatorial candidate during the November 6, 2021 election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo from the Senatorial the race.
Already, leaders and members of the PDP are shifting camps to other parties where their interests would be favoured ahead of the polls next year.
An estimated 50 per cent of PDP members in Anambra South Senatorial District have moved to the Young Progressives Party!YPP).
This followed the withdrawal of Chief Val Ozigbo from the Senatorial race and that of Mr Peter Obi from the PDP presidential ticket.
Coordinator Anambra South People’s Forum (ASPF) Elder Samson Ubajiaka told newsmen on Thursday in Awka, “We have left the party!PDP) and we are going to work for Sen Ifeanyi Ubah in this coming election and we shall make sure that the party do not win any seat in the state and National Assemblies.”
According to him, “The treatment of the duo of Peter Obi and Valentine Ozigbo shows that our party is set to die and these are the machinations of some people who feel that they own the party.”
Maradona tribute plane unveiled in Argentina
Ozigbo in his letter of withdrawal was unhappy over the lack of internal democracy in the party.
He said,” I refuse to dignify the rot of the process by participating in Anambra South Senatorial Primary. Evil comes in many colours. In PDP Anambra, its primary colour is Chris Uba. The secondary colours are in the National Working Committee of the Party that enabled him and his cohorts.”
According to Ozigbo, “I am afraid that the entire process leading up to preparing the PDP Anambra Chapter for the primary is fundamentally flawed and I will not dignify this mockery of due process and blatant disregard for decency with my continued participation.”
“Yesterday, I formally wrote to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu, of my withdrawal from contesting the primary for the ticket for the senatorial seat of Anambra South.”
He said, “The problems we face cannot be solved by acquiescing to the discredited notion that regards every long-standing member of the PDP as a “leader” or “stakeholder”. It is time we define what leadership means to us in the PDP.”
“It is imperative that the PDP, which Dr Ayu leads, makes this our focus if we wish to remain a part of the people in Anambra and take power at the centre in 2023; or else, we are in for a rude awakening.”
With Emefiele, CBN is no longer safe for sensitive materials says, Falana
“How is it that one aspirant, an interested party in the process for the Congress, takes over the process by supplying the names of his domestic staff and allies to be on the panel coming to Anambra to conduct the Ad Hoc Congress?
“Specifically, Captain Umar Bature (Rtd), PDP National Organising Secretary (NOS), is complicit in this dangerous and divisive approach to conducting the internal elections of our party,” Ozigbo stated.
It is expected that more leaders and aspirants as well as members are going to dump the PDP in the next few days and weeks as alignment and realignment ahead of the 2023 election keep on.
