Barely any last minute intervention, former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, may be sanctioned over his absence at the flag-off of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) campaign for the November 11 governorship contest in the state.
A top source at the PDP headquarters, in Abuja, told journalists, that leaders of opposition party are upset with Ihedioha
over his absence at the flag- off of the Imo governorship campaign flag-off. According to the source, the South East caucus will consider the matter at their next meeting and likely impose sanctions against the former governor.
This , according to him, is because the South East PDP caucus, at a meeting prior to the campaign flag-off had resolved to rally round the opposition party’s candidate in the Imo governorship contest, Samuel Anyanwu.
Recall that Ihedioha, a former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, was PDP candidate in the last Imo governorship poll. The former lawmaker, who is also an ally of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had indicated interest in the PDP ticket for the forthcoming Imo gubernatorial election. However, he withdrew from the contest, after Atiku lost the 2023 presidential election.
The source added that while PDP leaders especially those from the South East, were excited by the success of the campaign flag-off, which was attended by party top shots from across the country, they have vowed to take a decisive step against Ihedioha.
He said “the flag-off was a huge success. The mammoth crowd was organic and showed that the people of Imo State are solidly behind our Party. It also confirmed that our Party in Imo State is united behind our candidate, Senator Anyanwu.
“However, Party leaders are not happy and disappointed with Hon. Ihedioha for his absence at the flag-off which is in clear defiance and disregard to the decision of the South East leaders of the Party in Enugu, where it was unanimously agreed that all Party leaders from Imo State should attend the event.
“Hon. Ihedioha was part of that agreement. His decision to stay away from a very crucial event such as the campaign flag-off of the Party ahead of a decisive election in his State despite the express decision and directive of the Party is rather unfortunate.
“The mark of a good Party leader in a democratic setting is simple respect for decisions and agreements reached by the Party. Hon. Ihedioha was part of the decision at the Enugu meeting but chose to act in defiance of the agreement and directive”.
