Despite the news of Emeka Ihedioha Joining The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of November 2023 election in Imo State, supporters of Peter Obi have alleged that he still has interest in the party LP Guber ticket.
Recall that Ihedioha had on Monday last week tendered his withdrawal letter in a letter addressed to the national chairman of his party from contesting PDP Governorship primary with the Senator Samuel Anyanwu who is currently the national secretary of the party.
However, there is a serious allegation the former governor, Emeka Ihedioha is currently contesting for Imo Governorship by “proxy” of Barr. Sam Amadi who recently purchased labour party Governorship form few days ago.
Supporters of Peter Obi upon getting hints of the moves by Emeka Ihedioha mobilized to resist the former Deputy Speaker; citing the betrayal from him by particularly campaigning against Labour Party and Peter Obi as well as working against them during the just-ended presidential election in the state.
You would recall that the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and revealed that key players along with “Obidients” in general are opposed to his initial move to join Labour Party. Ihedioha met with heavy resistance from Obidients who practically tore him to shreds over his derogatory comment in a video which trended online.
After several failed negotiations and persuasions, the embattled former lawmaker was advised to join APGA which he did.
A source further revealed that since the resignation of Iyocha Ayu, things have not remained the same in PDP as loyalists of the embattled Chairman are now a target of the new head honcho, Umar Iliya Damagum
A very prominent source also revealed how Emeka Ihedioha purchased the labour party expression of interest and nomination form by proxy to participate in the forthcoming Imo Guber race.
In his words: “Ihedioha resorted to purchasing the nomination form by fronting Sam Amadi in order to avoid backlash from the LP Obidient’s supporters following his inflammatory remarks against the Igbos and Peter Obi.
“Ihedioha had described any Igbo person supporting or voting for the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi as saboteur, and vowed to deliver the Presidential Candidate of PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
“Former aide of Dr Goodluck Jonathan and Ex- Chairman of National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi who recently purchased the LP governorship nomination form is said to have swapped his nomination form with Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.”
there is uneasy calm in the LP party with the recent development as party supporters were threatening to dump the party if Ihedioha is allowed to emerge as candidate.
Information has it that since the news, core Obidients are spoiling for war threatening to shut down Secretariat of the party should Ihedioha’s completed nomination form is received and cleared to participate in the forthcoming Governorship primaries of the party after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines for purchase of nomination forms and screening of aspirants had ended.
Meanwhile, All efforts to reach the spokesperson for Labour Party in Imo State proved abortive as at the time of filing this report as a result of the dissolution of the state executive committee by the NWC of the party.
By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri