If news available to this newspaper is nothing to go by, more governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State may leave the party before the party primaries.
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The PDP in Imo State had lately witnessed the exit of some governorship aspirants.
Two of them are reported to have gradually exited the party to find political solace elsewhere and oil their 2019 governorship ambition.
Though they have not officially announced their exit, newspaper reports said that former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim is widely believed to have left the party.
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Reliable sources confirmed to this newspaper at the weekend that Ohakim may have concluded plans to join the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA where he will battle the party’s governorship ticket with over 30 governorship aspirants.
Sources close to the former Governor said soon he will make a public declaration in Owerri where he is expected to announce his new political party.
Another governorship aspirant and member of House of Representatives, Hon.Tony Nwulu may have also left the party for the United Progressive Party, UPP.
Nwulu who is the youngest governorship aspirant in Imo State recently handed over two vehicles to the women and youth wings of the PDP in the State before his move to the UPP.
He is yet to publicly announced his exit from the leading opposition party in the State but there are strong indications that he has pitched his tenth with the UPP.
The reason for the exit of some guber aspirants in Imo PDP could not be ascertained but worries have been expressed by some aspirants on the grip of the Imo PDP structure by a particular governorship aspirant which may in the long run influence the outcome of the party Primaries.
The party leadership led by Chief Charles Ezekwem has consistently debunked such fears assuring that the party primaries will be free,fair and credible.
Recently, the party was plagued by allegations of oath taking.Again, this was denied by the State party leadership as bundle of lies and figment of imagination of a few as the party leadership said it is bent on creating a level playing ground for all aspirants for the party primaries.
Last week, one of the governorship aspirants and Senator representing Owerri zone, Hon Samuel Anyanwu charged party delegates not to allow themselves to be intimidated.
He said delegates should in making their choice of candidates take into consideration the need to support only candidates that can compete with other candidates from other political parties.
At the moment, the party parades a good number of governorship aspirants namely a former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon.Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), Prof Jude Njoku and others.