Uncertainty Surround Imo PDP Ward Congress

 Uncertainty has crept into Imo PDP barely few hours to the conduct of the ward congresses scheduled to hold April 30, 2016.

This newspaper gathered that the State caretaker committee led by Vitalis Okafor which is expected to conduct the congress has come under fresh “political assault” from some powerful forces in the party in the State who want the committee out of the way.

The Caretaker Committee of Imo PDP has been under fierce attack from the sacked State executives led by Barr Nnamdi Anyaehie which had gone to the law courts to challenge its composition.

 The Courts had overruled the sacked executives. The party’s peace and Reconciliation Committee later intervened in the matter while the party leadership in Abuja insisted that the Caretaker Committee remains.

No party official confirmed the ongoing development in the State PDP as at last night. A top party official when contacted by this newspaper described the information as “mere diversion”    

 However before this unverifiable twist of events in the party yesterday, desperation appears to be the word to describe the activities of some PDP chieftains in Imo State who were involved in desperate moves ahead of  the party ward congress

This is coming on the heels of unconfirmed reports that the congress may be put on hold in the State following the late arrival of forms for interested aspirants.

None of the members of the State Caretaker Committee was willing to speak to INNONEWS.COM on the uncertainty surrounding the conduct of the ward congress in the State, but a party source said it will go on as scheduled as those seeking to be elected as ward executives have been advised to go to their wards and take part in the congress.

It was also unclear if the mode of electing party officers will be option A4.

 Option A4 is a system of voting where a long queue of supporters/voters will line up behind their preferred candidate.  It was used in the June 12, 1993 presidential election and the PDP has recently announced that it will be used to choose various candidates for various elective positions in the party.

However, the situation is tense in Imo PDP as some rising set of party leaders have insisted on a free and fair congress where the votes of party members will count unlike in the past where party executives are compiled by party leaders in the comfort of their homes and hotel rooms. 

This newspaper had reported that such acts were ongoing and were perpetrated by some party bigwigs before the congress was cancelled two weeks ago.

Several meetings held within the week indicate that majority of party members in the State insist on free and fair congress and totally rejected imposition of candidates not only at the wards but up to the State level.

At the State party secretariat in Owerri where top party leaders attended a meeting except Senator Hope Uzodinma who was absent, leaders of the party called for a free election for all congresses from the ward to the state levels.

The meeting convened by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and was attended by former Governors of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim. Others in attendance include former Deputy Speaker, House of Reps, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Samuel Anyanwu and other prominent leaders of the party.

Another meeting summoned at the residence of a member of House of Representatives (names withheld) in Owerri zone almost led to fisticuffs between those for a free and fair congress and those who want the old practice of imposition of candidates.

INNONEWS.COM learnt that almost all party leaders in the State have arrived Owerri and are in consultations with their local foot-soldiers to ensure victory for those they are backing for the ward and local government congresses in Imo State.

The outcome of the ward congress in Imo State will serve as a litmus test for the PDP if it has really put its house together  to displace the All Progressive Congress, APC in 2019. 

BY GRACE IGWEANYI