The embattled Imo State governorship candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Dr Casimir Anyanwu has dismissed recent media report indicated that he(Dr Anyanwu) has been suspended from the party for embarking upon campaign of calumny.
Debunking the report in his Owerri residence recently, Dr Anyanwu described the alleged suspension as a fake news disclosing that SDP has never served him any legal document to buttress the suspension claim. He accused few national leaders of the party of being responsible for the current crisis ravaging SDP.
Narrating his ordeal, Dr Anyanwu declared that he won SDP governorship primary election which took place at Tokyo Hotels, off PortHarcourt Road, Owerri on 6th October, 2018 with a wide margin. Hear him,” I contested with two persons, Barr. Goodswill Anuchuka and Onuoha Charles Chidi. The exercise started on 5th at 4pm and ended on 6th October at 2:00am. After the exercise, I, Dr Casimir Anyanwu scored 855 votes to emerge the party governorship candidate, Barr.Godswill Anuchuka got 128 votes, while Onuoha Charles scored zero. My name was forwarded to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as enshrined by law. I was surprised when I heard that my name has been substituted with that of Okey Ezeh who is not a member of SDP. Okey Ezeh participated in Imo state governorship primary election of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA which held on 7th October, 2018. And he is one of the aggrieved APGA governorship aspirants who are currently battling with the party and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume in court. I wonder why my party should try to intimidate me with suspension whereas there is existing court injunction. Can’t SDP obey court rules. Is SDP not abided by Nigeria constitution”.
Dr Anyanwu further vowed to continue pursuing his mandate through legal means urging his supporters to remain calm as he will beef up strategies that will enable him emerge the number one citizen of Imo State immediately he gets judgment from the court.
Meanwhile, INEC report for the SDP governorship primary election signed by the Commission Deputy Director Legal Services, S.O Ibrahim made available to the newsmen read,” Introduction: the Social Democratic Party(SDP) Imo state chapter held its governorship primary election on 5th October,2018. The venue was at Tokyo Hotels, Owerri. The event started by 4pm and ended by 2.00am. The SDP constituted a three (3) man electoral committee for the primary election. There were delegates from LGAs of Imo State. The method of the election was by secret ballot. Out of a total no of 1,087 votes cast, Dr Casimir Anyanwu emerged the winner with 855 votes. Other contestants are Barr. Godswill Anuchuka scored 128 votes, while Onuoha Charles Chidi scored zero. There was no breach of security. The party executive later submitted to us the list of candidates that emerged.
