There is rumbling in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State
A ‘coup’ targeted at sacking the Chairman of the party, Engr Charles Ugwu, hit a brick wall last week.
Dependable sources in the party told INNONEWS that 17 of the 27 Local Government Chairmen had signed a petition, passing a vote of no confidence on the State Chairman.
However, some of the LGA Chairmen later claimed that they only attended a meeting convened by a top ranking member of the party and had no premonition of the purpose of the meeting.
“We only attended a party meeting where usually an attendance list is taken.
“It is to our surprise that our names contained in the attendance list were planted on the suspension letter for Mr. Ugwu, without our knowledge” one of the affected LGA Chairman told this newspaper.
However, sources at the meeting contradicted this claim, alleging that money had exchanged hands at the said meeting for the purpose of sacking Mr.Ugwu.
With the move foiled, reprisals have come the way of the affected LGA Chairmen involved in the failed plot, as their ward executives and members have risen against them.
As at the time of filing this report, four LGA Chairman- Ikeduru, Owerri Municipal, Ohaji/Egbema have been shown the exit door.
Other LGA Chairmen said to be involved in the plot, are finding it hot and may equally be suspended by party members before the end of the week.
Analysts say the recent commotion in the party is a fallout out of an ongoing cold war between a former governor of the State, Emeka Ihedioha and National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Ihedioha is the kingpin of the PDP in Imo State, controlling 90 percent of the party structure from the ward, LGA and State Levels.
The camp of Senator Anyanwu, ostensibly uncomfortable with Ihedioha’s control of the party structure, are alleged to have wooed some of the LGA Chairmen to sack the party’s boss, as basis to weaken the former governor’s grip of the party structure.
Ihedioha and Anyanwu are eying the governorship ticket of the PDP in the State ahead of the 2023 Imo governorship election.
The duo have been involved in a cold war in a fierce scramble for the soul of the party.
When contacted, the State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Collins Opurozor said the party has internal mechanisms of resolving it’s issues.
