As primaries to elect the governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo State hots up, a former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and a governorship aspirant, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha has raised an alarm.
ADVERTISEMENT
Ihedioha, a major contender for the party’s governorship ticket is widely believed to be in pole position to clinch the party’s guber ticket for the second time.
He was the Imo PDP governorship flagbearer in 2015
However in the race to clinch the party ticket back-to- back, he has other contenders in the contest to contend with such as Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Chukwuma Ekomaru (SAN), Senator Athan Achonu and Prof Jude Njoku.
ADVERTISEMENT
The scramble for the party’s ticket has been tense in Imo PDP forcing the former Federal lawmaker to say there is ongoing campaign of calumny against him.
In a statement on Monday endorsed by his media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, he said some agents of desperate aspirants in the State have orchestrated a malicious blackmail against him.
He said the failed attempt is to impugn his character and create a frosty relationship between his good self and leading Nigerian politicians within and outside the PDP
ADVERTISEMENT
Part of the statement reads “Knowing the antecedents of these opponents, who are proven agents and allies of the All Progressives Congress (APC), we expected this flurry of attacks, which indeed have been their age long trademark. We are not surprised.
“It is, however, important to put the record straight that Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, will remain a loyal and committed leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), who will operate within the dictates of the provisions of the PDP Constitution, as well as the electoral guidelines, set by its relevant organs and importantly the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Rt. Hon. Ihedioha will continue to pursue his legitimate ambition to provide good leadership for the good people of Imo State which, interestingly, has continued to receive unprecedented enthusiasm, grassroots support and wide acceptability.
“Attempts, through a wave of their falsehood and propaganda, to smear his reputation and relationship with senior Nigerians will, by the grace of God, remain an effort in futility.
ADVERTISEMENT
The statement re- echoed Ihedioha’s earlier stance on issues bordering on governance and loyalty to the PDP
He said: “Let me assure Nigerians, particularly the leadership and membership of our great party, PDP, and more importantly, Imo electorate, that my resolve to offer myself for service, to liberate and indeed rebuild our state, through good governance, by the grace of God and the support of Imolites, cannot be hindered by these orchestrated and old-styled campaigns of calumny.”
“Indeed, we expect more of these underhand attacks, as the coast of our victory becomes clearer and the day of liberation inches closer. God will vindicate us at the end” the statement concluded
ADVERTISEMENT