2023: Peter Obi, Imo PDP Primary Elections And Matters Arising

By Sampson Uhuegbu

On Wednesday, May, 26th, 2022, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidencial hopeful and former Anambra State governor, Mr Peter Obi shocked many Nigerians over his abrupt resignation from the party.

Not only that, Obi declared his resignation in a Press release officially signed by him which had flooded the social media space. His exit has continued to generate hot reactions even as he has joined Labour Party (LP) lately.

His release read; “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2, Anaocha LGA Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022.

Consequently, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP Presidential Primaries.

It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.

Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.

I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country”.

This development has attracted mixed reactions of people of all walks of life who opined that the party’s leadership would not have allowed the hopeful to bowed out the race considering his personality and popularity in politics. If you ask me, Mr. Peter Obi has stolen the hearts of many people- not only in the Southeast of Nigeria, but other parts of the country.

Having been regarded as a technocrat and a quintessential leader who can change the urgly narratives Nigeria is known for, his exodus can be said to have shocked most Nigerian who believed in his vision.

The day Mr Peter Obi visited Imo People’s Democratic Party (PDP) during his campaign, he made a shocking revelation of how he could change the narratives of Nigerian economy through his lofty ideas. Obi held supporters spellbound while delivering his speech which hinges on revamping all sectors of the country and his ability to stop it from borrowing.

Now that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has emerged the PDP Presidencial candidate, he may pick Mr. Obi as his running mate for 2023 election of which many Nigerians would be amazed at. The agitation of Igbo to produce next president is likely to snowball into Vice presidency.

Meanwhile, the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has held its delegates’ primary election. The exercise which took place at the Aladinma Shopping mall, Owerri, had in attendance State’s and Local Government’s leaders, aspirants and their their mammoth supporters.

I am impressed with the manner by the primaries took place. On my arrival at the venue, fear gripped me on sighting the heavily armed security men at the venue. No casualty was recorded at end of elections. Deligates and Security officers behaved well.

It would be recalled that Senator representing Imo East Senatorial District, Sen. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi was defeated by the former Secretary to the State Government during Emeka Ihedioha administration, Rt. Hon. Uche Onyeagocha with 134 votes during the exercise, while Ezenwa got 110 votes. Basil Maduka who emerged third position, garnared 64 votes. Onyeagocha was interviewed immediately by the Press. He described his victory as a majority choice of people of Owerri zone, saying that he would not take the massive support for granted.

Also, a third- time member representing Orlu, Orsu and Oru East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Jerry Alagbaoso who was aspiring for Imo West (Orlu zone) Senatorial District, lost to the former Lawmaker that represented Isu/Nwangele/Njaba/Nkwerre in the green Chambers of the National Assembly, Hon. Jones Onyereri with 228, Hon. ThankGod Ezeani; 118 while the Incumbent House member, Rt. Hon. Alagbaoso scored 54 votes.

Emmanuel Okewulonu defeated Ifeanyi Araraume Jnr, a son of former Senator, Ifeanyi Araraume to clinch the Imo North senatorial ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 general elections.

The party’s primary election took place in the presence of security operatives and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, in Owerri, on Thursday.

Announcing the results, Co-ordinating Chairman of the election, Mr Amaechi Onowu, said that Okewulonu polled a total 132 votes to defeat Araraume Jnr, his closest rival, who scored 61 votes.

” Having polled the highest number of 132 votes, I hereby declare Emmanuel Okewulonu winner of the Imo North senatorial primary election for PDP”, he said.

In a related development, Mr Jonas Okeke, a former Deputy Speaker of the Imo Assembly, polled 51 votes, to defeat his closest rival for the Okigwe North Federal Constituency seat, Mr Austin Nwachukwu, a former Member of the House of Representatives, who scored 42 votes.

Also, Mr Obinna Onwubuariri, a former Member of the House of Representatives, narrowly clinched the ticket for the Okigwe South Federal Constituency, 26 votes as against 25 scored by his closest rival, Mrs Nkeiruka Ibekwe.

Mr. Chibuzo Agulanna floored the Two- time member representing Aboh Mbaise/ Ngor-Okpala Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Bede Eke who contested for third term. Indeed, the elections were held under a peaceful atmosphere, with party delegates, aspirants and agents of the aspirants witnessing the processes.

National Organizing Secretary of the PDP, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu and State Chairman of the party, Chief Charles Ugwu, played roles that played out in the outcome of the elections.

In all, the PDP has produced Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as its 2023 Presidencial candidate. Expections are high. If he clinches power in 2023, it is expected of him to make Nigeria’s economy viable for the overall interests of citizenry. Nigerians have suffered untold hardship under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Prices of goods and services skyrocketted, insecurity worsened, Incessant industrial action continuously embarked by the Academic Staff Union of the University (ASUU), Corruption, high depts, Recession and infact, hunger and poverty rocked the economy which negatively affected people.

Though, APC is yet to have held its internal exercise of which all Nigerians are looking forward to. Voters are waiting for 2023 when the urgly narratives would change for their own good. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar or whosever that would become president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Southeast should have it at the back of the mind that that aspiration to rule the country on 2023 may have hit a brick wall because the Senator Rochas Okorocha who is seen as a vibrant contestant in the Presidencial race is still being detained by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Furthermore, there is need for the Southeast to come together and reunite so that if by circumstance, a candidate emerges from another geopolitical zone, it would not relegate Ndi Igbo to the background of National development.