Imo PDP unites, reconciles Ihedioha, Anyanwu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State, last Thursday, took a bold step at recapturing the governorship seat of Imo State as it inaugurated a 188 member Campaign Council with 24 sub-committees.

The Party also resolved the lingering bickering between its Governorship candidate and former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and the incumbent Senator representing Imo East (Owerri zone), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, arising from the Party’s governorship primary. Anyanwu came second and afterwards headed for court to challenge the outcome of the primary.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Imo PDP Elders Council and member of the Party’s Board of Trustees (BOT), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, noted that the PDP is set to recapture power in Imo with Ihedioha as the party’s candidate. He pointed out that “Emeka Ihedioha is the most respectful and humble politician I know. He has capacity and is tested, proven and trusted. He will be Imo’s next governor. I support him’’.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu

The elder statesman and leader of the party in the State opined that the reported feud between Ihedioha and Senator Samuel Anyanwu is over as the Party cannot afford to enter into the elections with a divided house. He clarified he has instructed Senator Anyanwu to withdraw his suit in court forthwith and that he (Anyanwu) has assured him that he will comply expressly with his directive.

‘‘I don’t believe in the complain by SamDaddy that the primary election was rigged by Ihedioha. I have asked him to withdraw the matter in court. SamDaddy has assured me he will withdraw the matter promptly’’, Iwuanyanwu posited.

In his remarks, the State Party Chairman, Barr. Charles Ezekwem reiterated the determination of the Party to win the general elections this year. He said that Ihedioha’s candidature is well deserved, considering his immense contributions to the Party.

PDP Imo State chairman, Barrister Ezekwem

Ezekwem pointed out that the PDP has no division among its ranks and leadership, stating that any attempt by any political Party to rig the election will be resisted. According to him, ‘‘Ihedioha is our best for Imo governorship this year. He made the Party strong and gave it a new lease of life. He is tested and trusted. We are convinced that with him, our victory is assured’’.

In his comments, the governorship candidate of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha said that the Party would provide a sustainable socio-economic and political road map to recover and rebuild Imo State in concomitance with the People’s expectation.

Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha

While noting that the task ahead is onerous, he charged the members of the campaign council and its sub-committees to ensure that the Party’s manifesto gets down to the grassroots in the 305 electoral wards in Imo State.

According to him, ‘‘the electoral battle ahead requires total commitment, sincerity of purpose and doggedness. There is no room for laxity or jamboree. To members of the Campaign Council or members of its sub-committees, this is a clarion call for service. As party members, we must show patriotism and absolute loyalty in the discharge of any assignment given to us’’.

Ihedioha further pointed out that ‘‘our campaign will adopt a unitary structure format unlike in the past where individual candidates ran individual campaigns. This means that, there will be simultaneous campaigning for all our party’s candidates from the Presidential to the State House of Assembly at any campaign rally’’. He implored the council members to traverse all nooks and crannies of Imo in their assignment, assuring that their service to the Party will not be in vain.

Former Governor Achike Udenwa, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha and other speakers at the event, harped on the need for dedication and sincerity of purpose on the part of the council members while discharging their duties.

Barrister Uche Onyeagocha

Ex- Imo Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa

They said the PDP members must be battle ready, stressing that though the task ahead is demanding, but success shall be achieved.

Meanwhile, the PDP, Imo State has announced that it will commence its state-wide campaign rally in Mbaitoli LGA on Monday, 14th January, 2019.