By Thompson Agu, Abuja
Indications that all unwholesome tactics will be deployed by aspirants for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship race in Imo State for 2015 election, have emerged, as the Presidency seems to be the source of power and destination for those willing to replace incumbent Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
In the last count, not less than sixteen aspirants are reported to be warming up to pick the PDP ticket ahead the governorship election slated for February 28 next year.
Trumpeta learnt that since there is no clear cut leader in the state arm of PDP and considering that non of the contestants has power of incumbency to dominate proceedings in the events leading to the party primaries, the presidency has become the final bus stop of the contestants. Unlike in the past where there was an arrowhead that dictates the pace from the Government House as party’s state leader, every stakeholder is in one page without any one securing undue advantage to manipulate proceedings
Our correspondent in Abuja noted that since President Goodluck Jonathan left Owerri after the resounding unity rally at Dan Anyiam stadium, many office seekers especially the governorship hopefuls have resorted to making entreaties to seek Aso Rock attention.
Apart from using the media to drum support for Jonathan’s government, most of the party’s guber hopefuls are exploring available contacts to reach the presidency in Abuja. Able lieutenants of President Jonathan and those with accessibility to the wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, have become hot cakes in the hands of the office seekers who are pulling strings to get the face of the number one citizen and political leader in the PDP.
It was further learnt that those involved in name-dropping and connections have further stepped up their quest to get at the presidency for endorsement.
A particular governorship aspirant, who is yet to declare openly, few weeks ago, took two pages in a national newspaper, while another female contestant appeared in another national daily showcasing Jonathan’s achievements and why he should run for another tenure. The aspirants did not end at only drumming support because some of them c also lured their constituents to back Jonathan for a second tenure.
Trumpeta authoritatively learnt that a particular candidate in one of the arms of National Assembly has boasted that he would use his contacts with the First Lady to dust other opponents even as few Douglas House seekers in PDP fold claim that they have secured endorsement from Jonathan to run. The absence of a clear-cut arrow head that would dictate the pace of events and favoured to get the ticket has opened new frontiers likely to make Aso Rock the deciding factor in PDP’s governorship candidate in Imo State come 2015.
Trumpeta reliably gathered that to outwit major competitors, the frontliners reportedly embarked on back-biting and cheap blackmails targeted at painting others black before PDP hierarchy and Presidency.
A ranking lawmaker of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly said to be making consultations for 2015 bid is reportedly suffering image problem because of party identity. He was accused of being PDP in body but APC in soul. The rumour about his planned defection to APC gained prominence at the local level before his perceived opponents sold it to the presidency and PDP hierarchy despite several denials from the lawmaker.
A governorship aspirant of PDP told Trumpeta in strict confidence that he would not spend any dime concerning his 2015 ambition until he gets presidential nod to run the election adding that any attempt to work against the interest or move at cross purposes with Mr President on would-be candidate for Imo PDP in next guber election amounts disloyalty.
