A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Gubernatorial Aspirant from Abia State, Chief Emeka Kalu has cautioned the leadership of the PDP on the dire consequences of participating in the forthcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra State under an atmosphere of disharmony.
In a statement forwarded to DAILY POST on Saturday morning, Kalu urged the leadership of the party in Anambra to work urgently to harmonize the party structure through interfacing with critical stakeholders and aggrieved members for reconciliation ahead of the poll.
He noted that party leadership succeeds through harmony and unity, not through fragmentations, adding that the PDP must begin inclusive mobilization in order to achieve well sensitized electioneering that would make the people of Anambra believe in the party’s blueprints and manifestoes.
The Abia Party Chieftain tasked the flag bearer, Mr Valentine Ozigbo and the PDP on youth empowerment to serve as a yardstick to show that they are going to run a development and inclusive government when voted into office.
The National Coordinator of the Peoples Democratic Party Coalition (PDPCO) further used the medium to disclose that the coalition had craved the indulgence of the Party flag bearer in Anambra State to immediately constitute a harmonization rally that would reintegrate all aggrieved members into one fold.
Kalu said, “This calls for the fact that nobody must be neglected but a forum of popular relationship with the electorates be created for solidarity and voting strength.
“It was in the face of faction and internal misunderstanding that paved way for the current governor of Anambra State to be re-elected because aggrieved tickets contestants schemed, took money from other parties and delivered in favour of them.
“Unity is a salient factor that guarantees victory, for no kingdom wins a war in divisibility. An older thing is always replaced with new ones for enhancement and positive results. Party politics is looking for those who can humble themselves to walk on foot to the doorstep of an old man in the village, spend time with him and convince him to vote for you with all readiness to respond to all his inquiries about the credibility of your party. With this in place, we are good to go”.
DAILY POST recalls that the former Chief Executive Officer of Transnational Corporation PLC, (Transcorp), Mr Valentine Ozigbo, was elected the governorship candidate of the party in the State.
Ozigbo polled 62 votes out of the 218 votes cast in the primary held on Saturday in Awka. He defeated his closest rivals: Dr Obiora Okonkwo who polled 58 votes and Senator Uche Ekwunife who polled 44 votes.
However, a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party held a parallel primaries the same day in Awka, Anambra State and elected Senator Ugochukwu Ubah as the Governorship Candidate of the party for November 6 poll.
In the meantime, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the list of governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the Anambra State Governorship Election scheduled for November 6, 2021, without Chukwuma Soludo candidate of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“By the timetable and schedule of activities for Anambra State Governorship Election, the publication of the list of candidates takes place on 16th July 2021”, INEC said in the list.
