The Labour Party (LP) may have turned itself into the new beautiful bride in Imo state as about 13 aspirants have purchased the Expression on Interest and Nomination for to contest the party’s governorship ticket for the November 11 election
This is as the party is also engulfed in leadership crisis, following the recent dissolution of the state Working Committee and eventual inauguration of a Caretaker committee by the national leadership of the party
The leadership crisis, it was gathered gathered more storm as all the aspirants are reportedly in the race to control the party’s structure, so as to aide their quest for the governorship ticket
The new caretaker committee led by Festus Onyekwulisi, which was inaugurated by the national leadership of the party, was rejected by dissolved State leadership, led by Fabian Onyekwere, who has challenged the decision in court
Despite the leadership crisis, severalpolitical big wigs have joined the November 11 governorship race on the platform of the party
They include General Jackson Ogunewe (retd), a one-time military attaché to the United Nations, UN, Director General of the Obi/Datti presidential campaign council in Imo state, Martin Agbaso, Humphrey Anumudu and Ike. C. Ibe.
Others are Charles Onyirimba, Hon. Basil Maduka, Captain David Mbamara, former Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, Kelechi Nwagwu, Senator Athan Achonu and Ikechukwu Ukaegbu.
Meanwhile, the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, have renewed their political rivalry as they battle once more for the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election in Imo state
Senator Anyamwu on Tuesday said the issue of consensus ahead of the Imo state Governorship election scheduled to hold on 11th November, 2023 is ruled out except Hon. Emeka Ihedioha steps down for him.
Speaking with journalists shortly after he was screened by the Senator Gabriel Suswam led screening committee of the People’s Democratic Party for Imo state Governorship election, Senator Anyamwu said the Imolites are already agitating for a new person that will give them sense of belonging.
The two aspirants currently contesting for the PDP ticket were screened for the Imo State Governorship Primary Election at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata, Abuja.
“Yes, I have been screened, it’s almost taking a bow and go, because I have passed through different screenings, before becoming national secretary, I have served in different capacity. I have been a two term local government chairman, two term state house of Assembly member and a senator and I also ran for governor with Emeka Ihedioha in 2019.
“So, I passed through the screening, even the screening panel said they don’t have an issues with me. Today, I even let them know what they don’t even know before about the issue of tax clearance, tax clearance can be forge out there, but I told them to always demand for the receipt.
“We are only two in the governorship race, Emeka Ihedioha and myself.
“On the possibility of consensus, the only consensus is when he steps down for me because he has done it three times, that is why Imo state people are agitating, and how can you give a person ticket for three times, so, this time, let a new person go” Anyanwu said.