2015: Group Rejects Chukwu As Ebonyi’s Governorship Consensus Candidate

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News From The State, Politics Monday, October 13th, 2014

From Ignatius Okpara, Abakaliki

Leaders of thoughts from various communities, youths and professional bodies in Ebonyi State have rejected last week endorsement of the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, as the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 general elections.

According to them, the decision to adopt the Minister was taken without the knowledge, and consent of all stakeholders and members of the executive of the ruling party in the state.

Representatives of the group stated this Sunday while briefing reporters in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital.

Nigeria minister of health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu

The opposition was made in a statement read by Dr. Jerry Uhuo and signed by Mr. Ben Bright-Mpkuma, Mr. John Okpo and Mr. Chinedu Nwoye.

It would be recalled AFRICAN EXAMINER reported last week that Professor Chukwu has been chosen as the PDP consensus gubernatorial candidate. The announcement was made in Abakaliki, during a Sallah get together organized by Governor Martin Elechi, for Muslims and non-Muslims members of the party in the state.

Those opposed to the decision said, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the decision was taken without the knowledge, approval and consent of the youths, leaders of thought, stakeholders and the Ebonyi State executive of the ruling party.

“It is beyond dissolute that under the constitution of the PDP, there is no provision for power rotation or consensus candidacy. The party believes in the enthronement of internal democracy.

“This gives vent to party democracy and affords party members the opportunity to choose their leaders and candidates for any election”, the group stressed.

Members of the group added that political parties that practise true democracy always maintained that the right of party members to choose their leaders should not be circumspect in any form or shape.

They insisted that party leaders were expected to emerge through due process and through conventions and congresses.

Members of the groups reminded the national leadership of the PDP that once there was a dissenting voice on any consensus arrangement, the party must put together a primary, so as to give every member a sense of belonging.