Enugu PDP Faults Controversy Rumours Over Consensus Candidate

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News, News From The State, Politics Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

By Funmilayo Omidiji

The Enugu chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied speculations on controversy due to adoption of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as its consensus candidate in the next governorship election.

The clarification was in a statement issued Tuesday by the state PDP Publicity Secretary, Dr Okey Eze.

The statement affirmed that the party had one house and insisted the process leading to approval of Hon. Ugwuanyi was transparent and democratic.

“The party is even stronger and more united now that we have a consensus gubernatorial candidate who was chosen through a very smooth, transparent and democratic process”, Dr. Eze confirmed.

He declared that the media reports speculating misunderstanding due to the development – emergence of consensus candidate were untrue, mischievous as well as an attempt to “deceive the public”.

Regarding the incomplete attendance list at the consensus meeting, the statement clarified: “Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, former Senators Jim Nwobodo, Ken Nnamani, and Fidelis Okoro as well as Chief Dubem Onyia had all sought permission to be excused from the meeting due to pressing official and personal engagements but pledged to abide by the decisions reached there”.

It also confirmed that Onyia has since issued a rebuttal through his lawyer, against the comments that he boycotted the meeting, explaining he was outside the country as at the time of the meeting.

It would be recalled a meeting of leader of thought in Enugu state was convened over a week ago at the instance of Governor Sullivan Chime. The crucial meeting which was also attended by other aspirants agreed that the House Chairman, Committee on Maritime, Hon Ugwuanyi should be adopted the consensus candidate and contest on the platform of PDP. AFRICAN EXAMINER reported the exclusive outcome of the meeting which held at the government house.