From Paul Ibe, Enugu
Those who thought that the PDP consensus candidate for the Enugu state governorship election is signed, sealed and delivered may have to think again.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, has distanced himself from the arrangement and has declared his intention to vie for the ticket of the PDP ahead of the election. This signals a crack in the “fraternity” that nurtured and carried out the controversial impeachment of Sunday Onyebuchi as the deputy governor of the state.
In the first week of October, the leadership of the Enugu state chapter of PDP led by Gov. Chime anointed a member of the house of representative, Ifeayi Ugwuanyi as consensus candidate.
Speaking at the Assembly’s conference room, the speaker hinted that he has already purchased nomination form of the party and is going ahead to participate in the party primary election on November 29 despite the consensus candidate arrangement.
He also stated that the achievements of the Chime administration would not have been complete without the support of the legislative arm which he heads in the state.
Mr. Odo who said his aspiration was conceived over three years ago, pledged to create wealth and employment in the state if elected, adding that he was further pressured to pick the nomination form which he had no option than to yield and urged the PDP delegates to the primary to vote for him.
Political atmosphere in Enugu state has been getting increasingly volatile as the election draws nearer. Governor Chime is still locked in a tussle to unseat Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu while Senator Ayodu Eze says he will not give up his governorship ambition for whatever political arrangement orchestrated by Gov Chime.
