As the date for the primaries of various political parties draw nearer, the contest for who picks the Governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Imo State has assumed another dimension as the Aspirants intensify their consultations across the twenty seven Local Governments of the State.
Although Imo PDP has about Five Aspirants as at the last count, but the followers of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Sam Daddy) are trying each other for size.
There are also Senator Athan Achonu, Prof Jude Njoku and Chief Chukwuma Ekemomaru (SAN).
From information available to Trumpeta the rivalry between Ihedioha and Anyanwu is hotting up every day, as each camp vows to pick the sole ticket of the Governorship seat.
Already, Ihedioha has traversed the nook and cranny of Imo State with his followers, sensitizing PDP Delegates on why the former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives should be voted to represent PDP in the main election.
Their argument is that Ihedioha has once tried to be Governor in 2015 and was only beaten by a sitting Governor after a hotly contested supplementary election, which many swore Ihedioha won, but was denied the diadem because of “powers from Above”.
The Ihedioha foot soldiers maintain that the Aboh Mbaise born politician now stands on a good stead to Triumph over other challengers, which is the reason PDP must not allow the opportunity to occupy Douglas House in 2019 slip.
Another of their argument is that Ihedioha is a house-hold name in Imo State, who does not need more introduction, as his contributions to Imo State when he was at the National Assembly speaks volumes.
Another issue they argue about is that Ihedioha has no baggage on his shoulders as he works free without indictment after serving as number five citizen of Nigeria.
Already the Ihedioha team has only about three Local Government Areas remaining before it covers the entire State in its visitations.
One of the arch followers of Ihedioha who spoke to Trumpeta said that their Boss is not distracted and not afraid of any Aspirant as he sets the pace, saying that was the reason any LGA Ihedioha visits, other Aspirants will go there the next day.
But Trumpeta was told that Senator Sam Daddy Anyanwu is the man that will give Ihedioha the fight of his political life during the PDP Governorship primaries.
The sources boasted that nearly all the political heavy weights in the three political zones in Imo State are behind the Sam Daddy project, adding that Imo people will be shocked with Imo PDP Governorship primary results, if they are thinking otherwise.
The source said that Sam Daddy is taking the Imo Governorship race easy, as he perfects his plan to coast to victory in next month’s primary.
It is learnt that Senator Anyanwu has covered nearly all the LGAs in Imo State where he met Leaders and Delegates face-to-face.
The source said the Anyanwu team is running at its own pace with their own plans and does not care what other Aspirants are doing as the end will justify the day.
“Senator Anyanwu is a man of impeccable character, social and easy to reach, which are his selling points. By end of September he will be Imo PDP Governorship candidate. Mark my words” the source told Trumpeta.
Also, Chief Ekomaru has been touring Imo State along with Imo PDP State Executive which many said has endeared him to Delegates, even as he uses the opportunity to connect with Delegates.
Senator Jude Njoku who recently at an Imo PDP Executive sensitation tour of Ngor Okpala appealed to other Aspirants to allow him the ticket is said to have intensified his Local Government tours where many delegates endorsed him.
He is said to be consistent in his pursuit of the project which many have openly see his experience as a former University Vice Chancellor as an added option.
Meanwhile, Senator Athan Achonu who is on the road for the project has vowed to shame other Aspirants because PDP needs a man who will call a spade by its name.
“Achonu has done a lot already and he is still doing more. It is better he is seen as an underdog and therefore springs a surprise” Trumpeta was told.
