The Senator representing Owerri Zone Imo East in the Red Chamber, Chief Samuel (Sam daddy) Anyanwu has thrown his hat into the ring to duel with all other contenders for the seat of Imo Governorship come 2019 election.
However, since the former Local Government Chairman of Ikeduru LGA made his intension known, the situation in his political party, the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has changed as his entrance into the race has put a lot of PDP members into confusion.
Before Senator Anyanwu declared his ambition, the PDP had only Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, as the fellow who has been bold enough to pronounce his bid to run for Imo Governorship under the PDP platform earlier before others.
Therefore, Anyanwu’s latest bid has thrown apprehension among PDP stalwarts, who are still studying the situation, as both Anyanwu and Ihedioha are seen as goof friends and political allies, who usually work together.
Many had hoped that Anyanwu will continue with his bid for a second term for Senate Seat, but his suddenly change of mind has confused political pundits, who wonder what may have gone wrong somewhere.
They said that by abandoning the Senate re-election bid, it means that Anyanwu has relinquished the seat for Hon Ezenwa Onyewuchi on a platter of Gold, and moving into the ring to slug it out with his friend Emeka Ihedioha for PDP Governorship ticket.
Meanwhile, Anyanwu and Ihedioha hail from Owerri zone, the political zone that is agitating for 2019 Imo Governorship seat based on Justice and Equity.
Much as more aspirants are expected to join the Imo Governorship race under PDP but the Anyanwu ambition has shocked many, who see a logger-head later in the day that may widen Imo PDP crisis situation to the advantage of opposition parties.
But some opinion molders believe that Anyanwu’s latest bid will add robustness into Imo PDP Governorship race as it will create more vibrancy within the party, and present the Governorship primaries with alternatives.
At his declaration before Imo PDP Chieftains from Owerri zone, Anyanwu pleaded for a level playing ground to exercise his civic duties which was granted him by PDP Executive members present.
However, a majority of people maintain that Ihedioha remains a big mountain to scale over by whoever is dreaming to be Governor in Imo State under PDP platform, because of the strangle hold the former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives has on PDP even at the National level because of his teeming supporters in the party.
Sources told Trumpeta that Senator Anyanwu’s camp alleged that it was Ihedioha who asked Ezenwa Onyewuchi to join the Owerri Senate race hence Anyanwu decided to now confront Ihedioha’s own interest; Governorship Seat.
But Ihedioha’s Media office has sworn that the former Lawmaker never propped up any person to challenge Anyanwu’s Senate seat, but instead the former Deputy Speaker has been minding his own election ambition.
And a reaction from the Ezenwa Onyewuchi camp described the insinuation as an insult on their principal as it means that Onyewuchi has no mind of his own, but takes instruction from others to pursue his own personal ambition.
Reacting to Anyanwu interest in the 2019 Imo Governorship, the Ihedioha Media office said it is a welcome development and deepens democracy right from the party primary level, adding that Ihedioha is neither standing on anybody’s way from pursue his/ her ambition nor dictating to anybody what office to contest for.
“It is a welcome development for senate Anyanwu and others to join the Imo Guber race under PDP. He is a son of Imo State and has the constitutional right to do so. He is welcome” Ihedioha Media office said.
And the Senator Anyanwu campaign office maintained that their principal will run the race to its conclusive end, as there is no retreat no surrender.
For the PDP, it sees the entire scenario as a good omen for the party, as the major responsibility of a party is to provide a platform for individuals to pursue election positions.
Therefore, the die is cast, as Imo PDP members wait for further developments, as the 2019 election gradually heats up.
