With Senatorial Primaries in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP drawing close, the big battle for Orlu Senatorial seat is already raging in the party, as two former federal lawmakers, Hon Jones Onyeriri and Hon. ThankGod Ezeani, are in a fierce race for the party’s ticket.
The PDP is desperate to extend it’s control to Orlu Senatorial Zone where the All Progressives Congress, APC already holds sway.
Senator Rochas Okorocha of the All Progressives Congress, APC currently represents the zone in the Senate.
With the PDP already facing threat of losing Owerri zone, courtesy of the ferocious move by the APC, to ensure it snatches the zone from the opposition party in the 2023 general elections, the PDP is gearing up to ensure it wins in Orlu Senatorial zone.
Political analysts contend that if the PDP do lose Owerri and Orlu Senatorial zones in 2023, it would certainly be difficult for the party to win the governorship election in 2024.
Based on this narrative, many PDP stalwarts in Orlu zone, argue firmly that the party must present a formidable candidate, who can take on the APC candidate and tame the ruling party’s political firepower in the zone.
Thus far, it is Hon. Onyeriri and Hon. Ezeani, who have signaled interest to become the party’s Senatorial candidate for Orlu zone in 2023.
Hon Onyeriri, a three time member of the House of Representatives had emerged the PDP Orlu zone Senatorial Candidate in 2019.
He had claimed he was on the verge of victory at the 2019 polls, before it was snatched from him at “gunpoint” by the APC, whose candidate was then Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.
Onyeriri is on a “second missionary” journey in the race.
Hon ThankGod Ezeani, was also a former federal lawmaker, having represented Ideato North/ Ideato South in the House of Representatives.
With few months to the party Primary in the Zone, whoever emerges the PDP candidate has a herculean task to overcome whoever emerges the APC senatorial candidate for Orlu Zone.
Orlu zone is Governor Hope Uzodimma’s political domain and many analysts, contend that the APC and Governor Hope Uzodimma would leave no stone un-turned to grab the Senatorial zone.
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