Intrigues, alignments and realignments have become prevalent in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State over the governorship ticket of the party.
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The governorship ambition of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and a former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is tearing party leaders and stakeholders apart.
Since Senator Anyanwu declared his intention to contest last week, a cold war has not only ensued between his camp and that of Ihedioha but has spread among other leaders of the party in the State. It has also led to intense political activities in the party with Ihedioha and Anyanwu camps hitting the ground running with so much vigour.
However, a clear manifestation of the seeming rift among party stakeholders manifested at the inauguration of a quasi group of Ihedioha named ” Team Ihedioha” inaugurated at Mann Street Primary School in Owerri Municipal. It was observed that some of members of the group include party executive members at the grassroots.
In what appears a frontal attack which underscore the depth of division that is rocking the party because of the ambition of Ihedioha and Anyanwu, a top leader of the party, Chief Josiah Odunna at the event fired salvos at his erstwhile political ally and a leader of the party, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Odunna , an ally of Ihedioha lambasted Iwuanyanwu for trying to foist Anyanwu on the party and Imo people. A former National Secretary of defunct of All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP had at the rally brandished a copy of a local tabloid wherein Iwuanyanwu was quoted to have described Anyanwu as the next Governor of Imo State.
Chief Iwuanyanwu a known political godfather of Senator Anyanwu has consistently shown his support for the senator who heads the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and public petitions.
At Anyanwu’s declaration for guber last week, Iwuanyanwu did not hide support for his political godson and has vowed to do all within his power to enure he picks the Imo PDP governorship ticket.
This has set the stage for further political skirmishes as more leaders secretly align with each of the frontline contestants in the party.