Anambra guber poll: Oduah, Ubah, others clash in PDP
FORMER Aviation minister, Senator Stella Oduah and oil magnate, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah head a field of seven aspirants that have picked expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the candidature of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 18 gubernatorial election of Anambra State.
With them are House of Representatives member, Linda Ikpeazu, Dr Alex Obigbolu, Mr Oseloka Obaze, Prince John Okechukwu Emeka and Ufo Akolisa.
The deadline for the collection and submission of the forms passed on Monday while screening of the aspirants has been scheduled for Wednesday at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja.
The seven aspirants are now expected to slug it out in the party’s governorship primary slated to take place on Saturday August 19, 2017 the national secretariat in Abuja rather than in Anambra state.
The National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the party has also announced that aspirants who may have issues with the screening exercise would have the opportunity to lodge their appeals on Sunday before the conduct of three ad-hoc ward delegates congresses on Wednesday next week.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the NCC, Senator Makarfi, on Tuesday inaugurated the 37-man State Caretaker Committee for Anambra following the recent dissolution of all factional leaderships of the party in the state.
The committee is headed by founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Health, Prof A.B.C. Nwosu with former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih, serving as secretary.
Makarfi gave the terms of reference of the committee during its inauguration.
According to him, it includes to run the affairs of the PDP in Anambra State and organizing an effective gubernatorial election.
“To this end, the Anambra State Caretaker Committee shall function as a de facto and de jure executive committee of the PDP of Anambra State,” he said.
He added that the committee is to constitute subject to approval of NCC and inaugurate Local Government and Ward Caretaker Executive Committees throughout the state and mobilize them effectively to restore the popularity of the PDP in Anambra State.
It is also to ensure discipline of members as required in accordance with party Constitution, to deal with anti-party activities that shall hinder the successful prosecution of the Anambra State gubernatorial Elections.
Similarly, the committee is to liaise with the national organs of the party in raising necessary finance for the state gubernatorial elections.
It is also to undertake any other matter, for which it shall seek permission from the National Caretaker Committee to facilitate the successful execution of its mandate.
The party also announced the suspension of one time state chairman of the party, Ken Emeakayi for gross indiscipline.
According to the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye who briefed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the former factional leader held meetings of his faction three days after his leadership had been dissolved by the NCC in contravention of the constitution of the PDP.
Adeyeye said Emeakayi continued to claim the leadership of the party, noting that when he was issued a query based on that, he resorted to casting aspersions on the NCC.
He added that Emeakayi’s case has also been referred to the party’s Disciplinary Committee for further disciplinary action.
According to the party spokesman, the action was necessary to send a clear message to potential trouble makers in the former ruling party.
