After Losing Supremacy Battle in Imo, Ihedioha Quits PDP

Tony Icheku  in Owerri

Former Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha, resigned from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following his loss to Senator Samuel Anyanwu in the tussle for control of Imo State chapter of the party.

Ihedioha and Anyanwu, who is National Secretary of PDP, had since 2023 been in a tussle for the soul of the party in the state.

Curiously, the recent PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) confirmed Anyanwu’s status, to the disappointment of Ihedioha and the South-east caucus of the party, whose choice for the national secretary position was Mr. Sunday Udeh-Okoye.

THISDAY had reported that in January 2024, a Federal High Court, Abuja, in its ruling, had declared Anyanwu the valid national secretary of PDP.

The Justice Inyang Ekwo also restrained the national leadership of PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary until the expiration of Anyanwu’s four-year term on December 9, 2025, as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

Ihedioha, in his resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Mbutu Ward, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, lamented that the party had deviated from its core principles.

Ihedioha, who had been a member of the party since its inception in 1998, also expressed concerns over the party’s inability to enact internal reforms, uphold its regulations, and effectively oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former governor stated in the resignation letter, “Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is, sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party effective immediately.

“While the decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria.”

Ihedioha’s trouble with Anyanwu started last year, when he lost out in the intrigues leading to the emergence of PDP’s governorship ticket for the November, 2023 Imo State governorship election.

Anyanwu eventually emerged the party’s governorship candidate and also held on to his position as PDP National Secretary.

Anyanwu’s return to his position after losing in the election instigated various court cases until the Ekwo ruling confirmed his position.