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| Udenwa |
It was unclear as at press time what the rationale for this action is, but a source at the PDP national headquarters in Abuja confided In This Blog that the former Governor has gotten the nod to not only lead the party in Imo but serve as an interface between the party in the State and the national leadership.
Udenwa was penciled for the plum job on the basis that top PDP chieftains such as the Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, who is the highest political office holder from Imo PDP is now a governorship aspirant in the State.
Other top Imo PDP chieftains such as former Governor Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Chris Anyanwu , Rt Hon Bethel Amadi are all governorship aspirants and therefore no longer in a position to lead the party at the polls.
Udenwa was said to have received clear instructions from the party in Abuja to energize the PDP in Imo from the ward to the State level as a basis to build a solid base for the party as the 2015 elections draws near. A top governorship aspirant on the PDP platform was reported to have said at one party’s rallies that Udenwa has the task to mobilize the party in the State.
The party leadership in Abuja is said to have relied on Udenwa based on his neutral political inclinations as a key factor that qualifies him for the latest responsibility.
The source said “Udenwa was chosen for his neutrality on thorny issues concerning the PDP in Imo State unlike other party leaders from the State who hold key positions in the national leadership but have shown their political alignment with one governorship aspirant or the other
In recent times, the former governor has become a political rallying point for the PDP in Imo State.
Recently, he received political stakeholders from Owerri Zone who came to his Amaifeke country home to lobby for the governorship ticket of the PDP.
He was also said to have played host senator Ifeanyi Araraume and other leaders from Okigwe zone who came to seek for his consent and support.
The former governor governed Imo State from 1999-2007. After serving as Minister of Industries and Tourism, he left the PDP for the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. He vied for the senatorial seat of Imo North Senatorial district (Orlu Zone) and lost to Senator Osita Izunaso.
He moved on to the All Progressive Congress when the ACN merged with other political parties to form the All Progressive Congress, APC.
He left the APC for the PDP citing Governor Rochas Okorocha’s political highhandedness.
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