As a commentator on national issues and the immediate-past Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, I have always advocated for a free and fair democratic process in Nigeria, particularly in Abia State. I strongly believe in internal democracy.
Based on my desire to offer effective legislative representation to my people of Ukwa-West, I had resigned my elective position as State Publicity Secretary of PDP in Abia State in order to vie for Abia State House of Assembly.
The primary election of PDP for that position had been scheduled for Thursday 4th October, 2018 at Okeikpe, council headquarters of Ukwa-West Local Government Area of Abia-South senatorial district. But no Party official showed up for the exercise.
Having failed to hold that day, it was rescheduled for the next day, Friday 5th October, 2018 at Ngwa High School, in Osisioma, Abia-Central.
Again, no official showed up for the conduct of the exercise. Unacceptably, some one informed the delegates at Ngwa High School that they were merely involved in a futile exercise as a name had already been submitted to the State Party Office as the Party’s candidate, without any election.
This was unacceptable to my sense of democratic engagement. I had to make a complaint to the State Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Ph.D.
Graciously, he asked me to formally write a complaint to the Chairman of PDP appeal panel for House of Assembly primary election for Abia State.
The primary election eventually took place today at Ngwa High School. Even though I lost the election, I feel fulfilled that I had successfully fought against impunity and imposition which were the bane of our Party in 2015.
The election was very free, transparent and credible. There was no iota of manipulation. My friend; Goddy Adiele, that emerged victorious has already been congratulated by me. I will give him my support.
All those that voted for me, 22 in number, I doff my cap for them.
I want to use this opportunity to congratulate all PDP candidates who emerged victorious in the recently-concluded primary elections of the Party, including Barr Uzoma Abonta who emerged as the Party’s candidate for Ukwa-East/West Federal constituency.
I had spear-headed resistance to Barr Abonta’s fourth term bid. I had mounted an open campaign against that ambition. I had felt that it should be the turn of Ukwa-West to be the in the Green Chambers.
Unknown to me, many stakeholders from Ukwa-West, including many from Ipu area, had a hidden understanding with Abonta. On Friday, 5th of October, 2018, being the date it was rescheduled and relocated to Ngwa High School, many delegates from Ukwa-West surreptitiously voted for Abonta while I openly voted for an aspirant from Ukwa-west(Ipu extraction) and showed same to his agent.
I wish to assure Hon Abonta of my support now that he has emerged the Party’s candidate. I am not prepared to create more enmity with people for no personal cause of mine.
Meanwhile, at exactly 17.05 today, Sunday 7th October, 2018, one Ebebe Wosu-Ezi of Umuadienwe in Ozaa Ukwu in Ukwa-West called me on mobile phone no 09022052517 and threatened my life for insisting that PDP should conduct a primary election.
According to him, if I had not successfully insisted that a primary election be conducted, his friend, Chetachi Ahukanna, whose name had allegedly been penciled down as candidate of PDP for Ukwa-West State Constituency election, would not have been removed.
I will consult with my lawyer in order to be guided on what necessary legal steps to take in this regard.
In conclusion, it is my hope that with the transparency and fairness that have been witnessed at the various levels of PDP primary elections, including the National Convention that has just produced her Presidential candidate; Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar, every stakeholder and member of the Party will put in their best for the overall success of the Party.
Okwubunka of Asa.
