BY MARTINS DURU
A former governor of Enugu State and Senator representing Enugu East senatorial district, Chimaroke Nnamani, has faulted the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party to ignore five of its governors as it commenced presidential campaigns for the forthcoming 2023 elections.
The presidential campaign of the PDP which was flagged off in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, was snubbed by five governors – Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Okezie Ikpeazu(Abia).
Their decision may not be unconnected to the continued stay of Iyorchia Ayu as the party’s national chairman despite his promise to vacate the position if a northerner emerged as the party’s presidential candidate.
Months after the emergence of a northerner as presidential candidate, in the person of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Ayu had yet to resign as national chairman.
He said, “Today, I go on record in total condemnation of the treatment of the five governors mostly from the southern states within the PDP. The Governors are our leaders and their humiliation rubs off on all of us.”
Nnamani recalled that state governors were not treated with ignominy during his days.
He cautioned against erecting parallel structures in the five governors’ states stressing that “politics is local and the folks from these affected states parading with the PDP leadership will not deliver their polling booths without the governors.
“Without the involvement of the governors that are our leaders, these mere cheerleaders and feel-good political operatives cannot deliver.
“They can drag themselves from their home states to Abuja. Some are Abuja permanent residents. They dress the meetings and colour the rallies, but that is what it is, political colour dressing.”
Meanwhile, Wike, has appointed 14,000 advisers for various political units in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Assistant on Media to the governor, Mr Kelvin Ebiri, and made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The governor’s media aide explained that the advisers will play a pivotal role in the administration.
Though none of names of the new appointees were mentioned, it is believed that the development is connected to the 2023 governorship election in the state.
It could also mean that Governor Wike may tactically be fulfilling his promise of ‘stomach infrastructure’ to the people, as his tenure winds down. Related News
- The statement reads, “In addition to the 14,000 advisers, Governor Wike has also appointed 319 Ward Liaison officers and 40 Local Government Area Liaison Officers.
“The appointments are with immediate effect.”
In the last one week, political tensions are mounting in the state, especially with the recent signing of executive order 21 by the Governor which bars political rallies in public schools without expressed approval from the government.
The order has been greeted with a backlash from various political parties and groups in the state
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