Protests mar Imo PDP congress
Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), supporters from Imo West (Orlu zone), on Monday, staged a peaceful demonstration at party’s secretariat on Okigwe Road, Owerri, alleging massive frauds on the ongoing congress election.
The protesters alleged that congress held only in four local government areas (LGAs) out of 12, and that one Senator Hope Uzodinmma hijacked the electoral materiel through Deputy-Governor of Abia State Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, who was the state congress panel chairman.
Some of the placards displayed by the demonstrators read, “Senator Hope Uzodinmma is destroying PDP, sack him now; he is an APC member.” “No single person will own the party.” “Orlu PDP says no to Senator Uzodinmma’s impunity”. “Sheriff leave us alone.” “No congress in eight LGAs in Orlu zone”. “Sheriff is agent of APC, not interested with PDP.”
The leader of the group, Mr. Tony Mbaegbu, appealed to the leadership of party to return power to the grassroots to ensure that it was well positioned for the 2019 polls. He alleged that Uzodinmma hijacked the congresses, and insisted that there was congress in eight LGAs in the zone.
While calling for a cancellation of the entire exercise, Mbaegbu stated that the list of delegates should be published for verification before the state congress and queried where the list of delegates would was from, since no congress was held in a majority of the areas.
Also speaking a member of the protesters, Mr.Damain Opara, alleged that fracas ensued when thugs suspected to have been sent by Uzodinmma attacked descended on the party members.
Receiving their protest letter, the state party Deputy- Chairman, Mr. Martin Ejiogu, acknowledged that the LGA congress held in four councils in Imo West, assuring them that the appeal panel was addressing the matter. He commanded them of conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and stressed that internal democracy would prevail in the party.
In a petition by the leader of the Coalition of PDP Democrats, Dr. Alex Obi, alleged that elective candidates were short-changed, since one form was produced in most areas.
