From George Onyejiuwa,Owerri

Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed  to join other states in the country to conduct the  state congress as a result of a court order.

The wards and local government congresses held last week were marred by protests and controversies.

Seven chieftains of the party, Mr. Vitus Nwajioha, Ingram Odiemegwu, Emmanuel Udom , Damian Iroegbu Opara, Chief Remy Nwokonkwo, Ejinalo Augustine and Evans Amaefula, had filed a case against the PDP and the secretary of the  Congress Electoral Committee in the state.

Ruling on suit No: HOW/320/2016, Justice K.A Ojiako urged the parties  to maintain status quo and should do nothing that will render nugatory any decision in the matter.

He adjourned the case till May 19, 2016 for argument on the motion on notice.

…2 chairmen emerge in Anambra

From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka

Two State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged yesterday in Anambra State as the party in the state held parallel state congresses.

The development, which has thrown the party in the state into confusion had the Chief Chris Uba faction hold theirs at the Emmaus House field while the Senator Andy Uba/Senator Stella Oduah/Ken Emeakayi faction held theirs at Multi Purpose Hall of Marble Arch Hotel all in Awka.

While the congress at Marble Arch produced Prince Ken Emeakayi as state chairman, that of the Emmaus House produced Chief Ejike Oguebego as state chairman.

The Anambra State Congress Committee chairman, appointed by the national body, Mr. Ladi Edun conducted the congress that elected Emeakayi, while a splinter group from the Edun’s Congress Committee-led by Alhaji Abubakar Mallam (Shettima Gwandu) conducted the congress that elected Oguebego.

Addressing newsmen at Emmaus House, Mallam said he assumed the jurisdiction to conduct the congresses in the state following the non-availability of Mr. Edun two days after they supposed to commence their duty in Anambra with the support of three other members.

He said: “When we arrived and couldn’t see the state congress chairman, we communicated the national chairman and the national secretariat and we decided to go ahead with the conduct of both ward and local government congresses which we submitted the results of the congresses to our national office and they have accepted them.”

“Up to now, I have not seen the purported state chairman of the congress committee. If I see him today, I can’t recognise him. And we can’t continue to wait for him. That’s why we went ahead to conduct the state congress. It’s left to our national leadership to take final decision on the issue.

“But I can assure you that we are on the side of the law because when we arrived the state we met with the administrative secretary in the state as directed by our party guidelines and that we did.

On his side Ladi Edun who has about seven members of the committee with him claimed that his team was the legitimate congress committee posted to the state to conduct the congresses.

He said, “We have our appointment letters and we have executed the job we were sent to do.” 

At the congress that elected Emeakayi there was confusion as a court order was brought that disqualified other candidates especially those for the Chairmanship position, as the order gave only candidates from Ihiala local government the right to contest. 

After some arguments the differences were resolved and the congress went on and produced Emeakayi as state chairman at about 4.55pm.