The Governorship Primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Anambra state chapter took place on the Saturday 26th of June, 2021 to nominate its Flagbearer for the 2021 Governorship Election.
One can recall for the past 16 years that PDP lost the Agu-Awka seat, since then, the party has been making serious efforts to regain its lost glory in Anambra. At a time like this, PDP ought to have been more careful than before with Anambra primaries election to some extent because, the November 6 Governorship election will make or mar the party.
The outcome of Anambra Governorship election will have a major impact in PDP.
In few months, PDP has lost three of its governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, more are still counting. So many National Assembly members have defected from PDP to APC, some other stakeholders and chieftains of the party have pitched tent with the APC just in few months. Seriously, there has been mass exodus lately as mass decamping hits PDP.
PDP had the best aspirants before the primaries, but was business as usual; dynasty, political cabal, godfatherism and hand-picking of delegates has caused PDP to make a “Colossal Mistake” that may dim the chances of PDP winning the governorship election on November 6.
Because of lack of internal democracy and hand-picking of Delegates, PDP cracked its wall into two factions, thereby producing two Governorship candidates. The Chief Chris Uba faction produce Senator Ugochukwu Uba as its candidate and Flagbearer. The Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu has Mr Valentine Ozigbo as it’s candidate.
PDP paraded 12 Aspirants at the primaries even with the exorbitant cost the party forms were sold for: Expression of Interest 1.m, Compliance form 5m and Nomination form 20m. So the total cost of getting PDP forms for the Anambra governorship election primaries was 26m.
The question now is, what is the Colossal Mistake PDP made by not nominating Dr Godwin Maduka as it’s candidate?
– Anambra Consists Of Many Political Dynasties
The political umpires of the Uba’s, Ngige, Okwute (Peter Obi), Willie Obiano etc is what Ndi-Anambra don’t wish to have again. Almost all the aspirants of PDP are in one way or the other connected or rooted to the dynasties, except Dr. Godwin Maduka. A self-made entrepreneur, renowned Medical Doctor, humaniterian, technocrat with international connections and sagacity that is needed to reposition Anambra to compete with the global economies. Dr Maduka’s God-father remains the electorates and not any dynasty.
- A Bridge-Builder That Will Unite All Factions.
The crisis currently rocking the PDP in Anambra State couldn’t have emerged or surface, if Dr Godwin Maduka was nominated to be the candidate and Flagbearer of PDP for the November 6, Governorship election.
Maduka’s candidature could have been a bond binding the aggrieved members together, he is known to be a clean gentleman with no dent or political baggage, who has not step on any toes. As such, he could have been the best candidate for PDP with a full harmonization and formidable force to win the election for PDP.
Every other aspirants could have accepted his candidature without rancor or grievances, he would have been the rallying point of the Stakeholders and the party faithfuls because of his unique leadership qualities, grassroot acceptability and humble disposition.
- Philanthropic And Humanitarian Services.
Among all the 12 aspirants of PDP, no one has earned the popularity, admiration and love of the people like Dr Godwin Maduka. Very organic and overwhelming.
Despite coming from a Corporate and private sector, a person who has not occupied any government position or office before, has done so much in human Capital development, youth employment and development, medical out-reach, grants to the indigents, widows and less privileged. All these philanthropic and humanitarian services he has continued to offer for over 20 years has earned him a lot of popularity in the state.
Even some of the aspirants who have served in government or currently serving, cannot match their constitutional mandate to provide services, as public officer(s) and government, with Maduka’s philanthropic and humanitarian services overtime. No wonder every average party member or Anambra person wants Dr Godwin Maduaka to be on the ballot paper come November 6.
- International Connection And Technocratic Skills.
No candidate or aspirants of PDP and other political parties can match Dr Godwin Maduka’s international connection and sagacity. Dr Maduka successfully runs chains of hospitals in the United States of America and series of international and corporate business across the globe. He has cognizance experience and expertise in corporate and public governance needed to position Anambra for a global economic breakthrough.
Now The PDP has made this Clossial mistake, is there any way to make amends by the ongoing appeal panel in addressing the mistake and better still, field the best and popular candidate Dr Godwin Maduka to INEC?
Ndi-Anambra what is your wish and move? Now that your preferred choice candidate, Dr Godwin Maduka is missing as PDP’s candidate and Flagbearer?
To be continued!
By Casmir Ire (Awka)
