Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Senator representing Owerri zone in the Senate, may lose his bid to return to the red chambers a second time.
This is as indications emerged that former Imo State Governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and his erstwhile political adversary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, have shelved their grievances amidst a deal.
Ihedioha, alongside former Imo State Governor, Achike Udenwa, former Anambra State Governor, Dr. Peter Obi, had kicked against Senator Anyanwu’s adoption as South East PDP consensus candidate for the post of National Secretary of the PDP.
An ex official of the PDP, and former aide to Ihedioha, Mr. Madu Chinemerem, had accused Governors Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Abia and Enugu States of imposing Senator Anyanwu as South East PDP candidate for the post of National Secretary.
48 hours later, Ihedioha denied his opposition to Senator Anyanwu’s nomination. He rather pledged support to Senator Anyanwu.
The former governor’s open endorsement for Senator Anyanwu raised eyebrows in some quarters, considering his cat and mouse relationship with the latter for a long time.
This newspaper was told that a South- South Governor and top leaders of the party were in the mix of the deal between Ihedioha and Anyanwu after the latter was adopted the party’s consensus candidate for the position of National Secretary of the PDP.
Part of the deal, this newspaper was told, is Ihedioha should back Senator Anyanwu in his quest to emerge National Secretary of the PDP, in return for Senator Anyanwu’s support for Ihedioha’s third attempt to become Imo State Governor.
Senator Anyanwu suspected to be eying the PDP governorship ticket in 2024, having lost his first attempt to Ihedioha in 2019, was said to have been convinced to go for Owerri senatorial seat.
The deal completely puts Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi in the cooler, as his second term bid to the Senate may have ended up in smoke.
Senator Onyewuchi had been an ally of Ihedioha, but analysts contend that emerging dynamics in the PDP after the convention may put his senatorial ambition in jeopardy.
A source privy to the undercurrents in the build up to the National Convention of the PDP, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “It is a clear case of trade by barter”
“Ihedioha is desirous to return as Governor and he can only achieve this feat, if he works closely with Senator Samuel Anyanwu when he emerges national Secretary of the PDP and automatically one of the leaders of the PDP in Imo State and in the South East
“Senator Anyanwu’s emergence as PDP national Secretary will certainly alter the political dynamics in Imo PDP. Take it or leave it. Some will lose, some will gain” he said.
Efforts to speak to Ihedioha’s media aide, Mr. Chibuike Onyeuukwu were unsuccessful, but a source close to the former governor said Ihedioha’s support for Senator Anyanwu to emerge National Secretary of the PDP is unconditional.
“His support for Senator Anyanwu to become National Secretary of the PDP is hinged on nothing. Its unconditional and it is willful support with no conditions at all because he is a true party man” he said
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi is aiming for a second term in the Senate after serving as a member of the House of Representatives for two terms of eight years.
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