Except Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state changes his political arithmetic in the on-going Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses in the state, not many would still be left in the state party structure at the end of the congresses.
Loading ...Parallel Ward congresses and fracas had trailed last Saturday’s exercise in almost all the 17 local government areas of the state, but the Thursday‘s scheduled local government congress is said to be the last stroke that may break the carmel’s back as major stakeholders are aggrieved over rumour making the rounds that the Governor has given a marching order that all the incumbent LG party chairmen should be returned at the congress.
Worse still is another rumour that the Governor has penciled down on a sacked former commissioner for Agriculture in the state, who until recently was the Vice Chancellor of a University of Agriculture, to become the state chairman of the PDP in Enugu state.
But Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr Okey Eze denied any such
plan. He said that the congress of the party which started last
weekend with election of ward executives has progressed smoothly,
adding however, that those complaining “ are minority persons who will
only identify with the party when there are vacant positions”.
Stakeholders in the party who interacted with our reporter said the move by the Governor is a death kneel for the PDP in the state.
Some of the stakeholders who pleaded not to be mentioned said there is growing anger in the party which will burst at the congresses if what the Governor is alleged to have said comes to fruition.
“My brother the truth is that so many people in Enugu state are not happy as I talk to you now. How can you say that the local government party chairmen in all the councils should be returned. So why is the party conducting congress ?
“Some of these local government party chairmen like in Enugu East local government have held the position for 16 years and have become dim gods. Well if that is the position of the Governor then am afraid some of us will vacate the Party for them and look elsewhere,” said the PDP stalwart who craved unanimous.
It was further gathered that the issue of who becomes the next state chairman of PDP is another logjam for Governor Ugwuanyi.
Whereas, a certain commissioner in the state is said to have resigned on the order of the Governor to take over the position zoned to Enugu East senatorial zone, the Governor is also accused of playing a confused game of throwing up the former university don.
Some of the stakeholders noted that it was similar lack of internal democracy that brought about PDP loss of presidential power and some states that were previously PDP states.
He argued that a sacked public officer in the state cannot be made the state chairman of the party if there is anything like integrity remaining with the party when there are credible party stalwarts from Nkanu land jostling for the position.
