Confusion As Faction Suspends Anambra PDP Ward Congresses

Exactly two weeks to the June 26, governorship primary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra, Chief Chukwudi Umeaba-led faction of the party has announced the suspension of the ongoing ward congresses in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria  (NAN) reports that the ward congresses were to produce three delegates to participate in another congress for the nomination of the party’s governorship candidate for the Nov. 6, governorship election.

They were held on Friday June 11, across the 326 wards in the state.

However, Umeaba who addressed the media as the Acting Chairman, Caretaker Committee of PDP in Anambra, said on Saturday in Awka that the suspension followed the June 9, judgment by a federal high court sitting at Maitama, Abuja.

Umeaba said that the Judgment delivered by Justice A.0. Adeniyi  in Suit No. HC/CV/774/2021 recognised him as theActing. Chairman of PDP in Anambra.

In the suit, Samuel Anyakorah had on behalf of himself, Local Government and  Ward chairman elected on Nov. 28, and Dec. 1, 2021, respectively,  challenged the validity of Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu-led State Executive Committee.

He said that the judgment acknowledged the plaintiffs as the validy elected officials.

Umeaba said he would work with the national leadership of the party to get a new date for the ward Congresses while assuring that his leadership would work to ensure victory for PDP in the Nov. 6, governorship polls.

“My leadership will work to conclude the outstanding responsibility reposed in us by the National Executive Committee and ready to work with all concerned to reposition PDP to winning ways.

“Based on above and in concert with terms of reference and in exercising the powers embedded in my position and PDP constitution I make the following pronouncements:

“I have suspended the scheduled Ward Congresses on June 9, to elect a three-man delegate for the governorship primary.

“I will contact the NEC of our great party for a new date on the Ward Congresses that will elect the three-man ad hoc committee for the governorship primary,” he said of the ward congresses meant to produce the Anambra State candidate of the PDP.

“I will marshall out other programmes for the growth and winning streaks of our great party in the Nov. 6 election,” he said

He appealed to all party faithful to remain calm and pray for progress of PDP in the state while  promising to be fair to all.

Reacting, Nwobu dismissed the Court order purportedly sacking him and insisted that  his leadership remained valid and substantive.

He said that Umeaba lacked the capacity to suspend a validly conducted  Congress of the party.

Nwobu said there was an existing  judgment of an Abuja High Court delivered on  May 24, 2018  which ruled that the Congress that produced him on Dec. 4, 2017 was valid and had not been vacated  by any court.

According to him, that judgment of May 24, by Justice O.A. Musa of Abuja  High Court  in suit no. FCT/HC/CV/049/2017, said the Congress that gave birth to this exco is in tandem with the party guidelines and remains valid.

“No State Executive Committee including myself has power to conduct Congress, so he does not have power to suspend what he cannot initiate.

“The Congress Committee headed by the deputy governor of Taraba State has been in the state since Thursday and are concluding their work,” he said. (NAN)

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