The
Peoples Democratic Party which once held sway in Anambra State, but
became comatose as a result of law suits, may spring a surprise as its
members come together for the gubernatorial election...
Just
months back, the dominant parties that were considered as likely to
make impact in the Anambra governorship election were the All
Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, where the incumbent governor is
seeking re-election and the All Progressives Congress, APC which already
has a barrage of aspirants banking on the power of the federal
government to push their aspiration.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP despite having been in power in the state before and parading some of the states accomplished politicians, was not considered as likely to make any
notable impact in the state. The reason was simple; the party had for
long been dogged by litigation at the national level, following a
protracted fight between Senator Ahmed Makarfi and Alhaji Ali Modu
Sheriff, over who was legally entitled to lead the party. But besides
this, the party was also enmeshed in leadership feud at the state level
in Anambra. The state is reputed to be the most litigious. The Supreme
Court had in the past recognized the fact that many of the political
cases they came before it were from Anambra. As
far back as 2006, when the party lost the governorship position under
Dr Chris Ngige to Mr Peter Obi of APGA through a judicial decision, and
following the rancour that characterized Ngige’s reign, over his alleged
refusal to heed an alleged agreement made between him and his
godfathers, the party has remained a divided house. This had led to the
exit of Ngige from the party. He joined the Action Congress of Nigeria,
ACN, long after Obi took over power from him.
In
past elections, the party was unable to put its house in order as it
became balkanised into many factions. In successive elections, each
faction had produced its own candidate. During past general elections,
PDP was known to have presented as much as three candidates for one
elective position, owing to the production of one candidate each by all
factions of the party. The Chris Uba faction of the party led by Chief
Ejike Oguebego and the Prince Ken Emeakayi faction of the party were
about the most prominent, and their disagreement and refusal to shift
ground had led to the PDP house falling apart.
But
the party is turning a new leaf as the Prof ABC Nwosu led-caretaker
committee in Anambra state tried foster a new sense of belonging to
members of the party in the state.
Upon
the Supreme Court victory of Makarfi, the party in its wisdom decided
to set aside the chairmanship of Prince Ken Emeakayi and his executives,
a decision that was greeted with protests. The party, however stood its
ground saying that in view of the rancorous state of affairs in the
state, it would be better to remove the state executives to allow for a
fresh beginning as the existing factions were not likely to recognize
the leadership of those claiming to the authentic PDP in the state.
Nwosu
on assumption of office had immediately stated that he was in the state
to sanitize politics in the PDP and in Anambra State. He said PDP
remained the dominant party in the state, and that if the party got
things right, it could go ahead to fix Anambra State. To this end, Nwosu
declared that the mad crave for money politics in the state, which he
referred to as ‘cash and carry politics’ must stop. He gave an assurance
that the only way to bring peace back into the party was to get all the
stakeholders represented in the caretaker committee, and to assure all
of them a level playing ground.
Shortly
after the declaration, the PDP in Anambra came alive again. From
parading just two aspirants; Dr Alex Obiogbolu and Mr Oseloka Obaze
whose prospect in the governorship election was everything but bright,
the number moved to seven, with the likes of Mr Ifeanyi Ubah, Linda
Ikpeazu, Dr Ufodike, John Emeka and Princess Stella Oduah instantly
rushing for the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms.
With
those first steps taken right, the PDP in Anambra is back to its old
self again, with hordes of its members returning to identify with the
party. Typical of the party, activities have returned in earnest at the
state party secretariat, and the ward congress of the party last Monday
proved the stuff the party was made of. It was a reminiscence of the
party’s good old days . For the congress only, the party having noticed
the capacity of some of the aspirants to manipulate the process sent two
of its high ranking governors; Messrs Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose of
Rivers and Ekiti States respectively.
The
governors while briefing party members in the state said the PDP could
win Anambra State governorship election if all members of the party in
the state would cooperate with its leadership. Wike said, “I am the
chairman of the ward congress committee, and the governor of Ekiti
State, Fayose who is the chairman of PDP governors’ forum is also a
member. PDP looked very well before selecting us to do the job. We are
not people you can buy with money. Look at my car there, I bought the
fuel by myself and came down for the job, and we came with our own kola
and drinks too, so we do not need anyone to give us kola or drinks to do
the job.We have resolved that there would be a ward congress, and no
one should talk to us about consensus or even entertain fear that we may
be bought. We have told the aspirants to go into the field and prove
themselves, and if they are popular they will have nothing to fear
about. What we need is for the aspirants to come together and support
themselves and the party, and whoever wins the ticket will surely win in
Anambra. Who do you have here in opposition party that is strong that
can stop PDP? If we can win in Rivers State, Anambra is a small case
because you don’t have anyone here that can stop PDP.”
Meanwhile,
as the party’s governorship primary comes up today, the leaders of the
party have resolved to put up a good fight to ensure that the state
returns to the PDP. The state caretaker chairman told journalists that
Anambra was and remains a PDP state and that the people of the state
were determined to return to PDP, and that the party was also ready to
take it back, having overcome the problem of factionalism.
The
party’s primary was initially scheduled for Saturday, the same day
chosen by the APC. The PDP cleverly shifted its to Monday.
Nwosu
had said that it was not a coincidence that PDP and APC would be
holding their primaries on the same day. He said that if all things
remain the same, the parties would hold their primaries the same day,
aspirants from both parties would not have the chance to switch to other
parties after losing in one. He however added that unlike APC who were
working to take over power from APGA using foul languages on the
incumbent governor, “What we were told is to come to Anambra and take
back the state through the ballot, and not to come and use abusive words
on the incumbent governor. That is why you have not found any of us
speaking ill of the governor. The governors were also sent here to come
and make sure that the best candidate emerges; a candidate that will be
acceptable to the people and to other PDP governors where he will be a
member. By Friday, another set of governors would be here to supervise
the primary election, and our ultimate aim is to ensure that we elect a
candidate that will be liked by Anambra people because the party is
returning to PDP again.”
Although,
the PDP has taken steps to put its house in order, nothing is certain
yet. This is because, this Is Anambra where anything can happen.
Hopefully, no one will procure an injunction to stop the primary.
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