All seems not to be well in the Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP after it held its govenorship primary few weeks ago in Awka.
Valentine Ezigbo, was elected governorship candidate of the party, in a primary election marred by complaints by over 3,000 delegates, statutory and ad hoc, who were disenfranchised from participating in the process.
The party rather used "Super delegates", comprising about 290 persons, who were 'teleguided' by the party leadership, to allegedly return Ozigbo, as the party's governorship candidate.
Some of the disenfranchised delegates had accused some party leaders of operating a cabal, and thus decided to choose Ozigbo, who would be their lackey and puppet, in the event he emerges governor of Anambra State.
It was observed that majority of the disenfranchised delegates had aligned with the aspiration of Godwin Maduka, who seems to have won the "hearts" of the delegates prior to the governorship primary election.
Maduka, the billionaire cum politician, had "invested" so much in the PDP in Anambra State, by making enormous sacrifices to the party.
Maduka had donated cars to the local government chapters of the party and willingly gave out huge funds to revive the PDP in Anambra State two years before the guber primary.
One of the disenfranchised delegates, Nobert Okwuego, from Aniocha LGA, said the PDP in Anambra State has jeopardized it's chances of winning the next governorship election.
"This was the same mistake it did the last time when Oseloka Obaze, was foisted on the party as it's governorship candidate and in the end, the party crumbled like a pack of cards in the election.
"PDP in Anambra State was dead before Maduka came to rescue and revive it.
"All these people claiming to be leaders were no where to be sighted when this party was going through many challenges
"Godwin Maduka came to the rescue.He donated vehicles to all the LGA chapters of the party, he gave huge funds to support the party's activities.Even these leaders who worked against him now, all benefitted from him.
"He single handedly revived this party, and we the delegates, he was our choice, because he is a core party man propelled by the zeal to develop our State.
With the Primary over, the PDP in Anambra State could be said to be in rumbles, as the party battles to manage the outcome of the guber Primary which has dislocated the party.
Majority of PDP stakeholders, particularly the disenfranchised delegates, who constituted the support base of the party, are urging Maduka to leave the PDP and seek another political platform to further his governorship ambition.
"They argued that a situation where the delegates list of the was changed five times before the primary, is an indication that there was a conspiracy to deny him the governorship ticket.
Analysts contend that Maduka seems to have an enormous grip on the party, which may affect the chances of the governorship candidate, Valentine Ezigbo in the governorship election.
Another party chieftain, Ugonabor Ezeani, said "The PDP leaders in Anambra State, goofed by denying a formidable aspirant such as Godwin Maduka, the governorship ticket.
"A situation where PDP members were chanting solidarity songs for Maduka at a function organized for Ezigbo, is a clear message that the entire PDP members, wanted Maduka as it's governorship candidate.
"The party has no reason to deny him the ticket, even the Super delegates that was used when the party capitalized on the court order to disenfranchise over 3,000 delegates, had benefitted from Maduka's largesse in the past.
"The governorship election is not a child's play. It is only a formidable candidate like Maduka that can take on APGA, and APC, who undoubtedly produced solid governorship candidates for the election.
"Can Ozigbo match the intimidating credentials of Dr. Charles Soludo, or give Andy Uba, a run for his money in the election?
"Maduka is a formidable candidate. He has impacted on the lives of majority of the citizens of Anambra State through his foundation.
"He is recognized globally for proving his mettle in the world of medicine, and he can give the likes of Andy Uba a run for their money in the elections. He was simply the candidate to beat, but the cabal in PDP has blown away such a unique opportunity to reclaim Government House, Awka"
Since Maduka lost the PDP governorship primary, he has been under immense pressure to join another political party to further his governorship ambition.
Thousands of party chieftains had besieged him last weekend, assuring him of their support whenever he leaves the PDP.
He is yet to make an official response on calls for him decamp.
The Orumba born politician, popularly called Lion of Africa, or Okosisi Orumba, indeed has tough decision to make as the guber election draws close.
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