In a dramatic twist that could further weaken the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State, a leading chairmanship aspirant has cried out to the party’s de facto national leader, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and stop what he describes as “dictatorial and tyrannical” moves by the state caretaker committee.
Chief Amaechi Onowu, who is contesting for the position of state chairman, made the passionate appeal during a press conference in Abuja on Friday. He warned that unless urgent steps are taken, the ongoing state congresses risk collapsing into another round of impunity and legal battles.
Zoning Agreement Under Threat?
According to Chief Onowu, the office of the state chairman was clearly zoned to the Central Senatorial District as part of an internal zoning arrangement designed to ensure equity and fairness. He hails from that zone (Idemili North LGA), yet the current chairman of the State Caretaker Committee, Chief Casimir Ajulu, who is from the North Senatorial Zone, is allegedly using his position to impose himself as the next substantive chairman.
“This is not just about one individual,” Onowu declared. “It is about saving the soul of the PDP in Anambra State from the same political merchants who have kept the party in shambles since the days of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju.”
“Hijack of Congress Forms” Alleged
The most explosive allegation is that Chief Ajulu and his committee have completely taken over the sale of nomination forms for the chairmanship position across all 21 local government areas. Onowu claims this has disenfranchised genuine party members and stakeholders who are ready to contest in line with the national leadership’s directive.
Recall that Minister Wike had publicly insisted that the congresses must be open, transparent, and allow every registered PDP member in the state to participate freely. Chief Onowu says that directive is being blatantly ignored.
“I am a registered member of the PDP in Idemili North Ward,” he stated. “Yet some powerful forces within the caretaker committee have hijacked the entire process, preventing committed stakeholders from even purchasing forms.”
Court Battle Looms as Deadline Set
The situation has become so tense that Chief Onowu has issued a clear ultimatum: if the sales of forms are not thrown open and transparency restored immediately, he and other affected stakeholders will approach the court by Tuesday next week to stop the entire congress process.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “We cannot continue to watch a few individuals turn the PDP into their personal property.”
What This Means for PDP in Anambra
Anambra has historically been a difficult terrain for the PDP, and many stakeholders believe the party’s repeated internal crises have been its biggest obstacle to reclaiming power in the state. With the national leadership under Wike pushing for unity and discipline ahead of future elections, the developments in Anambra are being closely watched.
Will Wike step in and wield the big stick as he has done in other states? Or will the caretaker committee have its way? The coming days – especially the self-imposed Tuesday deadline – will be very telling.
As one party insider put it after the press conference: “If the minister does not act fast, Anambra PDP may soon be heading back to the courts – again.”
What do you think? Should Wike intervene directly, or should the state chapter be allowed to sort itself out? Drop your comments below!
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