Rather than cool tension among members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Imo State, blood pressures have risen high following the visit of a team led by Dr Ahmadu Ali, former National Chairman of the party, to verify the situation of the party as the statutory date of the tenure of the incumbent Executives of the party at state, LGAs and Wards comes to an end this month.
Ali’s team visit stirred the hornet nest as various issues were raised during an interaction between the Team and Imo PDP top shots, which took place at the party office, Okigwe road, Owerri this week.
Following the manner the team left Imo state without any definite statement on its findings during the interactions, many PDP members were left confused as whether the issue of dissolving the Executives has been finally laid to rest or not.
However, information available Trumpeta indicate that it is not yet “Uhuru” for the Executives as forces are still fighting for the dissolution, which is now left on the Ali team to present to the PDP headquarter their verdict during what their findings were on the Imo scenario.
Trumpeta learnt that Imo PDP returnees like Chief Achike Udenwa and Senator Araraume are fighting that the Executives been dissolved so that the returnees, which includes them, will be accommoded.
They are pleading that PDP Executives been dissolved from the State, LGAs to ward levels, with the allegation that if left as presently constituted, will favour certain aspirants during the PDP primaries, since many of the Executive members will determine the fate of Aspirants
However, the former Governor of Imo state, Dr Ikedi Ohakim is stoutly standing behind the present Executives and against dissolution of the Executives with the reason that such exercise at this time will cause an implosion within PDP, and unleash problems that may linger into the 2015 election proper, which may lead the party lose some important elections due to bad blood and quarrels.
Ohakim who said he was speaking from experience maintained that the general interest of the party should be uppermost now than the individual ambitions of some people.
The former governor disclosed that any attempt to dissolve the present Executives will sow untold discord within the party, including a raging war that may ensue among the party Big wigs in a fight to control the party, even as the 2015 election approaches.
Meanwhile, our sources in Abuja said that the Ali team has submitted its report for the party to study the situation and know what would be the final statement on the Imo case.
Following the unpredictability of the matter, both those in support of the dissolution and those against are apprehensive, waiting for the final result, which sources say will be made known to Imo PDP members in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile former Governor of Rivers state Dr Peter Odili has taken a swipe on Chief Achike Udenwa and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume over the issolution of Imo State Executive Council of the party advising them to learn how to be loyal party men.
Speaking at the PDP secretariat during the party’s harmonization meeting during the check, Dr Odili told the new entrants that it is regrettable that they would be expecting the re-organization of party offices just to accommodate them after dumping the party.
He was particularly angry with Chief Udenwa who he said had benefitted from the party as Governor and Minister respectively, arguing that if other members of the party had left the party with him what would have become of the party in the state today.
Insisting that he had no reason to leave the party he was a foundation member and beneficiary because of internal matters which ordinarily should have been internally resolved Odili cautioned Udenwa.
Dr Odili therefore appealed to him and his group to jettison the idea of what position that should be or not to given to them but that they should come out and help build and strengthen the party.
Also speaking, a member of the delegation and one time national chairman of PDP Alhaji Ahmadu Ali challenged Senator Araraume on zoning of offices, insisting that zoning is above worldwide in the interest of party’s administration and fair play.
Contributing, another member of the delegation Umueh expressed happiness and confidence in Imo PDP. According to him, the state PDP is not a political orphan contrary to his perception before arrival. He therefore urged both the party leadership and followership to join hands in ensuring that the party reclaims its lost glory in the 2015 general election in the state.
