Chime, Ekweremadu’s Truce In Enugu Collapses

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Saturday, December 6th, 2014

FROM IGNATIUS OKPARA in Enugu – Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu purported peace deal after a protracted face-off over who represents Enugu west senatorial zone in 2015, may have finally collapsed.

The unsettled political war between the two PDP stalwarts in the state came to the fore on Saturday as the two factions of the party, led by Chime and Ekweremadu, held separate primary elections for the eight federal House of Representatives seats in the state.

Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise, observed that the authentic delegates produced by the Ekeremadu’s camp were denied access to the election venues by the faction loyal to Governor Chime.

However, in the parallel primary election conducted by the Ekweremadu faction, the House Committee Chairman on Works, Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, and House Committee Chairman on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Hon. Offor Chukwegbo emerged winners in Ezeagu-Udi and Enugu North/Enugu South federal constituencies respectively.

Similarly, the member representing Awgu-Aninri-Oji River federal constituency, and close ally of Ekweremadu, Hon Toby Okechukwu, a first-term legislator, was returned un-opposed through affirmation as three contestants stepped down for him.

Besides, the immediate past Enugu state chairman of the PDP who recently resigned his position to enable him pursue his ambition, Engr. Vita Abba, who is Governor Chime’s preferred candidate, lost the election for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Constituency to the former commissioner for Enugu capital Territory Development, Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede.

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who cast his vote at Awgu council Area headquarters, venue of the primary election for that constituency, had described the exercise as free, fair and peaceful.

Chairman of the PDP election panel, Senator Anthony Manzo, who addressed the crowd at Awgu, expressed satisfaction with the delegates and constituents for the matured manner they conducted themselves during the exercise, assuring that his panel will ensure free and fair primaries in the state.

The panel also visited Nkwo Nike, headquarters of Enugu East local government area, venue of Isiuzo/Enugu East federal constituency primary election, where the incumbent, Hon, Kingsley Ebenyi, allegedly emerged winner.

Meanwhile, Chime’s faction were said to have conducted parallel primaries for Ezeagu-Udi and Enugu North/Enugu South federal constituencies, where Hon. Ozomgbachi and Offor claimed they won.

As at the time of filling this report, the results of Nkanu East-Nkanu West, Igboeze South-Nsukka, Igboeze North-Udenu and Uzouwani-Igbo Etiti federal constituencies were still being awaited.

With the new twist that played out on saturday in Enugu political space, only time will tell those that will represent the state at the National Assembly NASS in 2015.