PDP Overrules Elechi Over State Assembly Primaries In Ebonyi

PDP Overrules Elechi Over State Assembly Primaries In Ebonyi

By Chibuzo Ukaibe

— Dec 2, 2014 | 10 Comments

The backlash from last Saturday’s State House of Assembly primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State spiralled yesterday as the national leadership of the PDP overruled the governor, Martin Elechi, over the conduct of the primaries.

The party however setup a three-man reconciliation committee made up of Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, Theodore Orji of Abia state and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state to meet Elechi over the situation.

As a fallout of seething tussle for control of the state party structure, Elechi had on Saturday declared that the PDP primaries did not hold in the state.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Ebonyi State Governor, Dr. Onyekachi Eni, the government disclosed that the national leadership of the PDP had in response to certain developments in the party in four states decided to postpone the primary election to a later date.

The government said that despite the party’s positions some disgruntled politicians in the state have continued “the deliberate acts of misinformation and falsehood” to blackmail the party and sow the seed of discord.

However a section of the party loyal to former governor, Sam Egwu, said there were primaries in the state.

But the national leadership of PDP in a statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, said it has since received the result of the primaries in Abuja.

The party said “in response to enquires raised by a false media report, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) wishes to announce to the general public that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly Primaries was successfully conducted last Saturday, November 29, 2014.

“The NWC states that the result of the exercise has since been received at the national secretariat of the PDP in Abuja.

“The national leadership urges members of the party, especially in Ebonyi state to totally disregard any other report as incorrect.

“However, a special three-man reconciliation committee has been set by the NWC to reconcile all major stakeholders in the state to achieve the desired unity before the general elections. The committee includes Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, Theodore Orji of Abia state and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state.”