Sheriff Writes INEC over LG Congresses

Stakeholders in Anambra hail outcome
Charles Onyekamuo in Awka
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to abide by the party guidelines, rules and constitution as the party conducts its congresses in the states preparatory to its national convention billed to hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on May 21.

Sheriff’s letter to the INEC which was made available to THISDAY in Awka yesterday was signed by Sheriff as the party’s national chairman and Prof Wale Oladipo as secretary.

But it was all praises by the PDP stakeholders in Anambra State yesterday as the party held its congresses in the 21 local government areas of the state.
Some of the stakeholders in the  21 local government areas in the state hailed the national office of PDP of getting it right this time around, describing the congresses as hitch-free, grassroots-oriented and lacking in undue rancour.

Party people who spoke with THISDAY while monitoring the congresses said the hitch-free nature of the congresses was commendable,  describing it as a sign of good things to come.
For instance, former Minister for Aviation and a leading PDP stakeholder in the state, Chief Osita Chidoka, told THISDAY at  Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area  that the party was putting its acts together and working towards getting things right.
Other stakeholders like Chief Chris Uba, Hon. Tim Egboka, Hon. Rebecca Udorji, Chief Emma Nweke hailed the e congresses as re-assuring.

Hon. Rebecca Udorji, told THISDAY at  Igwebuike Age-Grade Hall, Umunagu village, Achalla, venue for Awka North Council Area that the exercise was the best the party could hold over the years and described the Ejike Oguebego-led executive committee of the party in the state of having worked hard to achieve a hitch-free congress quite unlike before.

According to her, the state chapter of the party would not have been plunged into crises if the previous congress of the party had been as peaceful as the one held yesterday.
In Idemili North in Anambra central zone, the Chairman of the party, Chief Uzor Epundu said enough measures were put in place logistically and security wise to ensure a hitch-free congress.

At Ihiala in the state’s southern zone, the chairman, Mr. Sam Anyakora, said it was long time since the party worked together in harmony to achieve peace and concord during congresses, adding that it was a sign that the crisis in the state chapter had finally been laid to rest.
The state chairman of the party, Oguebego, who spoke to THISDAY, also praised the exercise describing the level of concord exhibited by both the stakeholders and party supporters in the state as satisfactory.

“We did not receive any form of trouble anywhere in the course of this exercise across the 21 local government areas of the state.
“We are happy that peace has returned to Anambra PDP especially after the Supreme Court verdict of January 15 this year,” he said.