By Charles Igbo
The Imo State Branch of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is angry. It is angry over a false story, which had, for days, made the rounds that its face, leader and driving force, former Governor Emeka Ihedioha would, sooner than later, defect to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.
According to the news, to defect to APGA with Ihedioha, this time from the All Progressives Cogress, APC, are the embattled former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, his equally embattled son-in-law, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, the “down-spirited” Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, and their associates in the APC.
While it is a little obvious why those who began the story of the defection would think of Okorocha and associates moving to APGA, that of Ihedioha is inexplicable.
In Imo APC, Okorocha and associates have, so to say, lost grip. The Governor, Hope Uzodinma, is the one calling the shots. Depending on one’s understanding, it is debatable if they are still members of the APC, having not taken part in the APC membership revalidation exercise in the State.
Ihedioha’s is different. His removal from office by the Supreme Court notwithstanding, his popularity within the Imo PDP is total and overwhelming. He is their leader. He calls the shots. He has the party in his grips. Most of the members believe in him. And, as far as they are concerned, he is their candidate come the 2023 Governorship election, and would be sworn-in on January 14, 2023 as Governor.
The question then is, why would he decamp to APGA, a party which is not strong, for now, in the State?
The news carriers put it on the door steps of Senator Sam Anyanwu (Sam Daddy), the recently inaugurated National Secretary of the PDP. They say with Anyanwu’s new position, the grip on the party by Ihedioha has shifted. With Anyanwu, they argue, Ihedioha can no longer be answering the Leader of the PDP in the State. They say Anyanwu should be the one calling the shots. And they argue that because Ihedioha was allegedly, responsible for Anyanwu not going back to the Senate in 2019, after he lost the Governorship Primary to Ihedioha, Anyanwu may not support Ihedioha to pick the ticket in 2023. Anyanwu had challenged Ihedioha’s victory in the Governorship Primary upto the Supreme Court. He gave up when he lost in the Courts.
But, as far as most Imo PDP members are concerned, Ihedioha is it in 2023/2024.
They, therefore, are upset that anybody, or group, would dare suggest that Ihedioha would decamp to APGA.
They dismiss such thoughts as mischievous, and those who manufactured the story, and are spreading it, as agents of darkness and outright blackmailers.
In a strongly-worded statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Emenike Nmeregini, the party said Ihedioha is its brand, and put the blame, expectedly, on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and the APC.
Following is the full text of the Statement.
IHEDIOHA’S PURPORTED DEFECTION TO APGA, A FAKE NEWS, MALICIOUS JOKE, HANDIWORK OF DROWNING POLITICIANS.
~ IHEDIOHA IS OUR BRAND, HE GOES NO WHERE.
“We have been inundated with calls by concerned people of Imo State over a flying rumour, syndicated in the social media by enemies of Imo State, purporting that our leader, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON will defect to the All Progressives Grand Allaince, (APGA) to vie for the 2023 governorship election
“This party, initially did not consider a disclaimer necessary, for the simple reason that Rt. Hon. Ihedioha is not known to prostitute between political parties. He is known and has indeed remained a consequential leader, consistent major financier, loyal and dedicated member and leader of our party since helping to found it in 1998.
“For emphasis, there is no other truly democratic party in Nigeria and in Imo State in particular, aside the PDP. We are not unaware of the increasing desperation of agents of darkness, who are afraid of the imminent reclaiming of our stolen mandate come 2023.
“It is incontrovertible that His Excellency Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, is our brand. And our message ahead of the 2023 general elections is the celebrated achievements of the Rebuild Imo administration within the seven months.
“The PDP led Rebuild Imo administration laid a solid foundation for the rebuilding process of our state. It is on record that all the sectors of the state were receiving attention before the usurpers broke into the government house. We restored salaries and pensions from 70% to 100% and paid as and when due; adequate security of lives and property, began construction on over 33 critical roads across the state; flagged of an audacious agro revolution and youth empowerment; aggressive automated revenue system; autonomous local government administration; implemented the Treasury Single Account; Qualitative free education, aggressive investment drive; transparency, accountability, rule of law etc.
“Our party takes pride in the achievements of the Rebuild Imo administration for which we are being pressured by the people of Imo State across party lines to endeavor to seek their mandate to continue the rebuilding process.
“Lastly, we wish to warn mischief makers, agents of darkness, blackmailers enemies of Imo State, Senator Uzodinma and his failed APC cohorts, to look elsewhere and stop any such fake news. Imo people are wiser and are vigilant to these and other devices of the enemies.”
At the time of writing this, the APC has not responded to the allegation of its culpability.
