From Petrus Obi, Enugu
The face-off between former governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu has been laid to rest.
A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and first democratically elected PDP chairman in Oji River, Ernest Nweze, who disclosed this yesterday, also said the issue of who becomes PDP chairman in Enugu State will be determined by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Nweze, who briefed newsmen in Enugu on the affairs of the party in the state said the governor is the leader of the party in the state.
He said the bone of contention between Chime and Ekweremadu was the issue of who would pick the party’s senatorial ticket for Enugu West, and pointed out that after reconciliations, Ekweremadu emerged.
“To the best of my knowledge, as a party man, I don’t think there are issues between the two now. They have closed ranks.”
Commenting on the power tussle over who becomes the party’s state chairman, Nweze said: “In my 16 years as a member of the party, nobody picks the state party chairman outside the governor; in-fact, it’s a political taboo for anybody to think so.
“But the governor can appoint the chairman in consultation with major stakeholders; but, he has the final decision.
“I feel that the young governor has tried to bring peace in the party; so far, what he has done is very commendable.”
Nweze commended Governor Ugwanyi for his achievements in human and infrastructure developments in the state.
“Before now the road in Nsukka which leads to the foremost university was a shame, but, the governor has awarded the road contract there and, even with the economic situation, he has also awarded contracts for major roads in Abakpa, Nike Lake and Penocks.
“He has also awarded contracts for other roads and work is going on at the Ninth mile corner by-pass.
“The major challenge facing the governor is to tackle development which he has started and to improve the living condition of our people; to open up educational facilities, make more people go to school.
The governor will also work towards creating employment, establishing industries; in the past 16 years, no industry had been established in the state, so we are hopeful that the governor will salvage the situation.”
