Chairman of the Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party governorship primaries, Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, yesterday revealed that they were threatened during the conduct of the exercise.
Umahi, who stated this while presenting the report of his committee to the Sen Ahmed Makarfi-led national caretaker committee of the party, however did not reveal who threatened them.
He stated that his committee they did everything possible to maintain high integrity, adding “we were threatened even as governors.”
He however urged party members to desist fro heading to court over decisions reached by the leadership of the party, noting that the import of the Supreme Court judgement means that decision of the party is Supreme.
“Any Member going to Court over dissolution of party executive is ignorant.”
“We must do away with the mindset of people going to assignments like this to seek money. We had no interaction with anybody. We did everything possible to maintain high integrity. There is not threat we didn’t get even as governors. But after we said our prayers we said whatever will happen should happen.”
He added “We must not send persons that we can’t vouch for their character to conduct party primaries.”
He however canvassed for an early conduct of the party’s forthcoming convention.
Responding however, Makarfi, who noted that they made the right choice by choosing the team that conducted the primaries, said “it was a challenging environment and you excelled.”
While he appealed to members to work together he said “In any contest there must be winner and losers. In political party it’s a family and so we have to consider the larger interest of the party is the issue.
“While congratulating winner those that lost should calm down and work with the party. If it is not their turn today, tomorrow it may be their turn.
“No need making a mountain out of the mole hill. Court must be fed up with politician that are always running to it over such issues.”
He noted that he had already informed caretaker committee members that “we will call stakeholders and hold peace meeting with them.”
“Even in celebration do so with decorum. We have a big chance if we can work together.