Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has commenced moves to lure aggrieved stakeholders and members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Imo State, to the fold of the opposition party.
Leading the poaching spree in the South East for the party is the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who led some members of the National Working Committee, NWC, to woo Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Two weeks ago, Kalu had hosted the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Abuja.
Details of Anyanwu’s visit to Kalu was sketchy, but sources said it was part of moves by the PDP to bring back it’s erstwhile members to its fold.
Aside Kalu, PDP’s searchlight is said to be beaming on some aggrieved stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress, APC in the South East, particularly in Imo State.
Former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and others are among aggrieved stakeholders of the APC in Imo State. They are not on the same page with Governor Hope Uzodimma, who has taken absolute control of the party structure in the State after the Ward, LGA and State congresses.
Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate and Senator Araraume, may have temporarily foreclosed the idea of leaving the APC on the basis of latest developments surrounding their political sojourn.
Senator Okorocha is said to be pushing his presidential ambition on the APC platform, having reportedly received endorsements from several groups across the country who are urging him on to contest the 2023 Presidency.
Araraume, baring unforeseen circumstances, remains the Chairman, Board of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company.
However, the PDP may be eying political followers of the duo, such as Okorocha’s son in law and former governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, some members of the House of Representatives from Imo State such as Hon Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Hon Paschal Obi and Hon Kingsley Uju. The trio are adjudged long time allies of Senator Okorocha.
With re election cloudy for the trio and other Okorocha’s loyalists seeking to return to various elected public offices in 2023 in the APC, there are indications that the PDP may be their next political abode.
A source in the know of the emerging political undercurrents in the State told INNONEWS that “The PDP remains the attractive and viable option for Okorocha’s men because with the APC in Imo State in the grip of Governor Uzodimma, they cannot get nomination tickets to contest”
INNONEWS was informed that some top PDP egg heads will grace the funeral of the mother of Uche Nwosu, scheduled to hold on December 22nd. The event is expected to serve as a platform for “cross pollination of ideas” between PDP and Okorocha’s political foot-soldiers.
Senator Anyanwu had shortly after his emergence as PDP National Secretary at the party’s national convention said many APC members will join the PDP.
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