The game of musical chairs in Anambra State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified ahead of 2021 governorship election, with efforts aimed at harmonising individual aspirations of candidates meeting intense resistance.
Although there are others angling to take their shorts at the party’s ticket, about 10 aspirants who are rooting for a candidate from Anambra South say it must be one of them or nobody.
According to them, with the general mood for zoning that has received the blessing of many interest groups and political blocs, the party may shoot itself in its foot if it jettisons a zoning.
Yet, there are other aspirants that deny the existence of any zoning arrangement.
A reliable source said that these squabbles have led to intervention of some power brokers in a bid to harmonise the party’s stand on the issue.
But all efforts have so far proved futile. One of these efforts was meeting called by Former Gov. Chukwuemeka Ezeife over the weekend at Osumenyi in Nnewi South Local Government.
“Yes, all is not well with our party as aspirants seek to outwit each other in pursuit of the gubernatorial ticket. Ezeife recently led some party heavyweights to broker truce. But it did not materialise, because some of us know where they already stand,” he said.
But Anambra State PDP Chairman, Ndubuisi Nwobu, said every aspirant would get equal opportunity at the primaries.
According to him, PDP has no zoning arrangement and the party is looking for someone with capacity to win the governorship election.
He spoke in similar vein with one of the aspirants, Obiora Okonkwo who said he was ready for primaries, but would support whoever won a credible contest.
Yet, others such as Nicholas Ukachukwu insist it is the turn of Anambra South to produce the party’s flag bearer at the forthcoming Anambra governorship election in 2021.
Aspirants in this camp are Chris Azubuogu, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Uche Ekwunife, Chuma Nzeribe, Ugochukwu Okeke and Emeka Etiaba. Others include Obunike Ohaegbu, Ifedi Okwenna, Valentine Ozigbo and Godwin Ezeemo.
A communiqué signed by the 10 aspirants after the Ezeife-led meting said the zone will only support of its own who wins the ticket reads.
“We reiterate our support for the existing zoning arrangement for the governorship position. We re-affirm that the next governor shall emerge from Anambra South in line with the zoning arrangement. Whoever wins the primaries and is from Anambra South shall be supported.
We appreciate the leaders, stakeholders, National and State Assembly members for their goodwill messages. We also appreciate the National Working Committee (NWC) for correcting the erroneous statement ascribed to it that portrayed the party as anti-zoning in Anambra,” it reads.
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