ANALYSIS OF A DEADLY COLD WAR STILL ONGOING IN IMO PDP, WRITES POLITICAL EDITOR, CHIEDU UZODINMA#
Despite the Supreme Court judgement that has given the Emeka Ihedioha backed Imo State Executives the edge over the Senator Hope Uzodinma backed Nnamdi Anyaehie group, clear indications emerged last night that the battle for the soul of Imo PDP may still linger for a long time.
This is based on investigations conducted by this news website which clearly indicate that majority of the party leaders are watching the next steps and political direction of the state party executives.
Though the Ezekwem led exco have offered a hand of reconciliation to aggrieved members, some critical stakeholders said such reconciliation will be approached cautiously because of the domineering influence of Hon. Ihedioha in the present set up of the party.
Ihedioha made a triumphant entry into Owerri on Thursday alongside with the State party executives led by Charles Ezekwem.
He is the back bone of the pro Makarfi State Executives in Imo State and he is widely believed to be eying the PDP governorship ticket in 2019 for the second time.
He has opened his arms for reconciliation with aggrieved members particularly the Anyaehie group backed by Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Uzodinma controls a huge chunk of Imo PDP even beyond his Orlu senatorial Zone. Rumours had it that he is working in cahoots with Senator Samuel Anyanwu, senator representing Owerri zone and well over 6 members of the House of Representatives of PDP extraction.
His controlled Anyaehie State executives is still in control of the State party secretariat,Owerri. Even before the Supreme Court verdict, they had insisted they are the legitimate State party executives and insisted in occupying the State PDP headquaters.
Their claims had been severally countered by the Ihedioha backed Ezekwem executives who said their tenure had elapsed even before the coming of Ali Modu Sheriff as the national Chairman of the PDP.
Hon Ray Emeana, the State Secretary of the Ezekwem executives had in an interaction with newsmen in Owerri last month, said there is a subsisting court order that did not recognize the Anyaehie group and asked them to vacate the State party secretariat, Owerri.An Order which they have not complied with.
This could be the reason why Ihedioha and co did did go to the Secretariat to celebrate and brief the press when they returned to Owerri.
Observers believe that more trouble may still loom in Imo PDP despite judgement of the Supreme Court.
The Anyaehie group which Senator Uzodinma controls have accepted the Supreme Court judgement but did not indicate it’s next political move.
As at last night, there was no inkling on what next they intend to do but a source close to the group said they will put on the toga of a united Imo PDP but will only embrace the party if the reconciliation message preached by the pro Ihedioha group is well intended.
“We respect the judgement and we believe in the PDP. But some of us are worried if the Ihedioha group will sincerely open it’s doors for reconciliation” the source said.
“Would they be open considering the depth of the war before the Supreme Court verdict. What is the guarantee that we can work together? Politics is all about give and take, would they agree to make some concessions as a basis for reconciliation”
“Ihedioha desperately wants the Imo PDP ticket and will not want to give in an inch to senator Uzodinma and co in the party because of evident suspicions that the latter is an ally of Sherrif and the APC”
“Much as they need each other in Imo PDP, can Ihedioha and co agree to shift some ground for the Uzodinma group in the party”
“You cannot poses the entire party structure and expect Hope and co to be onlookers and spectators. From the look of things, those preaching reconciliation now have the upper hand in the political chessboard of Imo PDP, will they allow fresh Congresses as a basis for harmonization of party offices”
Ihedioha appears to be conscious of these fears when he told a radio station in an interview that while the doors of the party are open for reconciliation, those with ulterior motives will not be allowed to come in to cause confusion.
In a party like Imo PDP where mutual suspicion reigns supreme, it is not clear if genuine reconciliation can return to the party after such a deep seated war in the recent past.
This news website was informed that both camps are taking measured steps since the verdict of the Supreme Court. Serious underlying political undercurrents are deeply rooted in the party which will unfold in the days to come.