*BY BEN UGWU, POLITICAL EDITOR
The race for the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Imo State, may have ebbed due to the rampaging coronavirus pandemic that has forced suspension of all political activities in the state.
The PDP in the State had held its ward and local government congresses, though still mired in controversy, as some party chieftains, members and stakeholders, allege that the exercise was skewed in favour of former Governor of Imo State, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, against other stakeholders in the party.
While the dust is yet to settle on the ward and local government congresses of the party, the state congress was suspended, ostensibly in adherence to social distancing, one of the rules in tackling the spread of Covid 19.
INNONEWS gathered that despite the hold up in activities in the party caused by the pandemic, consultations are still ongoing among contenders and stakeholders in the party, on who will likely emerge Chairman of the party in the state.
The race for the party’s chairmanship will be keenly contested by aspirants from Okigwe zone. The zone had produced Charles Ezekwem as Chairman, who resigned his position.
Political observers contend that it is natural, the next chairman of the party emerges from Okigwe zone, and this is the key factor why party chieftains from the zone are already jostling for the position.
As at last week, no fewer than four top chieftains of the party have been identified to be interested in becoming Chairman of Imo PDP. Party sources said the number of aspirants for the chairmanship will increase by the time a new date is announced.
Those in the race from Okigwe zone are: Hon. Stanford Onyirimba, a former Majority leader, Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Jasper Ndubuaku, a former member, Imo State House of Assembly, Prof Obioma Iheduru and Chief Chuks Ajaelu, PHF, KSC who had vied for the position in 2015.
Already stakeholders and members of the party are giving clues on the type of Chairman the PDP in the State requires.
Some party members are rooting for a vibrant State Chairman, with the nerve and adrenaline to tackle and bite the ruling APC in the State and entrench the PDP as the leading opposition party in the State.
Another set of party stakeholders crave for a Chairman who will rebuild the psyche of party members bruised by the sudden loss of power in the state to the APC.
“We need a State Chairman who is young, full of life, a core PDP member, who will not sell the party for a pot of fresh potatoes, who will be battle ready for the task of an opposition leader in the state, not a lame duck or a lackey of anyone that wants to use the party as a platform to re- launch his political ambition” said Raymond Iweaka, a chieftain of the PDP in Orlu.
Another party chieftain,Hon. Chris Ogu, argued that the PDP in Imo State, will be on the verge of extinction in the state, if the next State Chairman, fails to undertake the task of healing frayed nerves in the party through genuine reconciliation.
Analysts and supporters of one of the aspirants, Chief Ajaelu believes he is the right man for the job having remained a loyal and dedicated member of the PDP since the formation of the party in 1998
“If the PDP in Imo State really wants to move forward and be a top contender in 2024 against an intolerant ruling party, a ruthless and vicious APC, then we need a vibrant young man in the mould of Chief Ajaelu, who can re-position the PDP for the enormous task ahead.
“He has no skeleton in his cupboard. A true party man, who has the adrenaline and firepower to help PDP in the state to bounce back to reckoning.
“He is loyal to the party. Since inception of the PDP, he has never leap frogged in and out of the party. Even when he was not rewarded when the party was in power for seven months in the State, he never jumped over to another party. He is the right man for the job” said Mr. Chris Ogbonna, a PDP chieftain and ardent supporter of Ajaelu for Imo PDP Chairmanship
Another contender in the race is Hon Stanford Onyirimba, a former Majority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly during the reign of former Governor Achike Udenwa. Known for his political sagacity, some stakeholders contend that he will bring his vast wealth of experience in roaring back the PDP back to reckoning in the State.
Hon Jasper Ndubuaku, has also been speculated to be in the race for the State chairmanship of the party. He has not officially declared his ambition and efforts to confirm his intention to aspire for the exalted seat could not be verified as at the time of filing this report.
Ndubuaku, was former member, Imo State House of Assembly, one time political Adviser to Governor Achike Udenwa. He was also Special Adviser to former Governor Ihedioha on Security.
“He also has a great dose of experience and he is seen as one with the capacity that will “keep the ruling party on its toes”. He is also a loyal PDP member” said Frank Ugwuegbu, a chieftain of the party.
Prof Obioma Iheduru has been speculated to have an eye on the seat.He was former Executive Chairman of Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB). He had also headed the party’s reconciliation committee set up by Charles Ezekwem.
With his vast experience having at one time been saddled with the task of re- uniting the aggrieved in the party , Prof Iheduru may also have the capacity to re-enact the PDP into a formidable political platform, if his political antecedents are anything to go by.
With time ticking close to the electing a new party leadership in the State, analysts contend that the opposition party should give attention to the younger elements if it really wants to stage a successful comeback to the seat of power in 2024.