With the recent resolution by the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] to adopt the winner of the PDP gubernatorial primary in Anambra State in the person of Oseloka Obaze, the battle front has shifted to the ratification of the selected running mate. This is as information available to 247ureports.com indicates that all might not be well with the running mate [Mrs. Chidi Ekwueme – Onyemelukwe] as selected by the former governor of Anambra State, Chief Peter Obi.
Loading ...Particularly, the choice of running mate may have rubbed the church in Anambra State wrongly. The church, of recent years have exerted enormous influence in the politics and elections to the extent that they have become major players in the political decisions in the State. Mrs. Chidi Onyemelukwe belongs to the Anglican Communion.
As the new political norm requires, Mrs. Onyemelukwe in the company of Peter Obi and other PDP stakeholders visited the local Bishop to present the candidateship of Oseloka Obaze and Chidi Onyemelukwe. The Bishop and the stakeholders of the Anglican Communion received the PDP group warmly.
Following the exchange of pleasantries, it was revealed to Peter Obi that Chidi Onyemelukwe was not a registered member of any Anglican Church. “Her name was not found at St Marks Anglican Church” in Nnewi – the church her husband’s family were known to attend. It was made clear to Peter Obi that Onyemelukwe was not recognized by the Anglican Communion.
But a source knowledgeable of the ongoings inside the PDP in Anambra told 247ureports.com that Peter Obi remains steadfast in penciling the name of Onyemelukwe as Oseloka’s running mate. It was understood that Peter Obi turned to the father of the running mate, Dr. Alex Ekwueme for assistance.
According to our source, Peter Obi paid a visit to the former vice president of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme at his home to officially seek his consent to pencil his daughter’s name into the running mate slot. The discussion with the former vice president was held yesterday. The outcome of the discussion is not certain to this medium but sources close to the former vice president hinted that there appear obstacles for Onyemelukwe.
As a caveat, a group of three local government areas, Orumba North, Orumba South and Aguata – under the umbrella of Old Aguata Union [OAU] had endorsed the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano for a second term. This was in December 2016. The endorsement had come in the company of the former vice president, Alex Ekwueme who also hails from Old Aguata Union. The former vice president also presided over the title-giving of the incumbent governor by the three LGAs. He was given the title Agunaechemba.
The selection of Ekwueme’s daughter strikes as an effort by Peter Obi to throw a wrench into the endorsement by Ekwueme. But in talking with the leaders of the OAU group, it was understood that their endorsement of the incumbent governor stands. One of the members indicated that Obiano had pledged to hand over power to the south senatorial district after the end of his term in four years. “We will support him”.
