Ihedioha, Uzodinma and soul of Imo PDP

In this piece, CHIDIEBERE IWUOHA takes a critical look at the fi erce tussle over leadership of Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), between former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Hope Uzodinma, despite the resolution of the protracted power struggle at the national level, between Sen Ahmed Makarfi and Sen Ali Modu Sheriff , by the Supreme Court, recently

Despite the recent Supreme Court judgment which gave victory to Senator Ahmed Makarfi and his loyalists as against Senator Modu Sheriff , the resolution, unfortunately does not give the Chief Emeka Ihedioha group, in Imo State chapter of the PDP the leverage to automatically hold power over the Hope Uzodinma group of the party. Reading the hand writing on the wall, it was clear that it was not yet uhuru in Imo PDP, considering what transpired in the party before the crisis at the national level. Immediately after the judgment, it was jubilation galore inside Emeka Ihedioha’s camp as members claimed it was all over and that their Executive which was pro-Makarfi would eventually be used by Makarfi who was recognized by the apex court as the National Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee.

Th ey extended their hand of fellowship to other factions but maintained that they would be thoroughly screened to make sure bad eggs were not allowed in the party. But when Chief Uzodinma and his loyalists convened their fi rst meeting after the Supreme Court judgment last Wednesday, a crowd of party members gathered at the party Secretariat to the chagrin of many political observers. Chief Enyinna Onuegbu, State Publicity Secretary of the party started by apologizing to members about the capacity of the secretariat which was not enough to contain members, assuring that the next meeting would be convened at the stadium where everybody would be comfortably seated. He maintained that the target of the party was to recover the Imo State Government House for not only PDP members but for Imo people.

In his opening remarks, State Chairman, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, said that he was not in the country when the Supreme Court judgment was given and made it clear that his Executive had been in power before the Port Harcourt Convention where Sheriff was removed. He assured party faithful that wherever PDP was, Uzodinma’s presence would be established. Also speaking,Hon. Goodluck Nanah Opiah who represents Ohaji Egbema/ Oguta/Oru West constituency at the National Assembly stated clearly by saying that after the Supreme Court judgment which they lost gallantly, their group had expected their brothers from the other side of the party to carry them along but that they went about jubilating as kings , conquerors and champions and felt they could forge ahead without them but that that was not true. According to him, “ If we were in their shoes we would have carried them along and focused on good governance in the state. Th ere is actually no true Exco of the party in the state except that led by Anyaehie. Th ey(Ihedioha’s group) went to court to challenge Anyaehie and that is where we are. Th e challenge we have now is how to keep ourselves together and take over Government House in 2019. “I want to assure you that what is happening at the moment is Inferiority versus Superiority. Some people are feeling intimidated at the Ward and LGA levels and are looking for an opportunity to avoid you. We are not conquerors but people who can win elections. What is making other people afraid is your structure. You have to keep and bring it out at the appropriate time and win elections.” Chief Uzodinma who is also a member of PDP National Executive Council (NEC) and Chairman Southern Senators Forum maintained that the meeting was an important one since it was the fi rst after the Supreme Court ruling. He also said that the party’s NEC was clear on the Imo State Congress issue as it listed states where Congresses were cancelled and Imo was not listed, as the matter was still in court. He said Ihedioha’s group went to court to challenge the Anyaehie- led State Executive. He said that when Ihedioha’s group learnt about their Wednesday’s meeting, they wrote the Inspector General of Police(IGP) who wrote to the Imo Commissioner of Police to stop them. But that when they learnt about it, they equally wrote to the IGP and informed him that the matter was in court. Th e IGP now had to withdraw the fi rst letter and directed the Imo CP to give them protection. Uzodinma maintained that the purpose of the meeting was not about anybody’s governorship ticket but to build structure and win election, and that it was not a matter of “putting off light at the stadium and giving somebody governorship ticket”, but that “we must have a strong party to win elections”. Th e senator who represents Imo West Senatorial zone in the Senate, made it clear that he would not care if Mr A, B or C was made governor but that his concern was building the party, adding that he had discussions with Makarfi who was his colleague in the Senate in the past before the meeting. Commenting on last week’s NonElective Primary of the party, Uzodinma said he did not consider spending between 3 to 4 million to extend Makarfi ’s tenure by three months but considered taking care of party members and preparing for the next elective primary later in the year. He advised party members not to discourage those willing to join or rejoin the party as they needed those who would add value and buy into their vision, assuring that they would do their best to make sure that things were done in a manner that would be acceptable to all. He fi nally advised party leaders to urgently convene meetings at the LGA and Ward levels to ensure that their message get to the grassroots and should not divert money meant for work or collect money from left, right and centre in a shameful manner.

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