PDD in Nsukka zones LG Chairman to Nsukka East
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) in Nsukka local government area of Enugu State has narrowed the selection of its chairmanship candidate for the Nov. 2 local council election to the East comprising Ede-Oballa, Opi, Leja and Ehalumona communities. Mr Onyema Idoko, a party chieftain in Nsukka and a commissioner in the state local government service commission, told newsmen in Nsukka on Friday that the decision was reached by PDP stakeholders after a series of meetings.
“After a series of meeting, party stakeholders in Nsukka have agreed that Opi or Ede-Oballa will produce the candidate for the party for the Nov 2 council polls in the state.
“The PDP in Nsukka is one family and always ensures justice in all its decisions,” he said.
Idoko said the party was expecting the two communities to agree on a consensus candidate, noting that if they succeed, the chairmanship primary will be a mere formality.
“If the two communities will provide a consensus candidate for the party it will make our primary easier.
“Then, if they cannot get a consensus candidate, the party will allow all aspirants to test their popularity in the party primary in September,' he said.
Reacting to the development, Mr Emeke Ugwuoke, former Vice-chairman of Nsukka local government council from Eha-Alumuona, described the alleged decision of Nsukka PDP stakeholders as unfortunate.
Ugwoke noted that the immediate past council chairman, Mr Dan Ugwuja, that handed over to Ugwu was from Ede-Oballa and wondered why the same community would be asked to produce the next chairman.
“Is it because Mr Vita Abba the state PDP chairman is from Ede-Oballa.
“The party earlier said it is the time of Eha-Alumona to produce chairman after Ugwu, I wonder why the sudden change just because the state chairman wants to impose his PA as chairman of the LG.
“It is unfortunate that Eha-Alumona people are treated as second class citizens in Nsukka,” he said.
When contacted, the PDP Chairman in Nsukka, Mr Alpho Nweze, however said the party did not zone the next chairmanship to Ede-Oballa and Opi alone, but Nsukka East development area which Eha-Alumona and Lejja are part of.
“Anybody from Nsukka east has right to contest for the party primary. But if only people from Opi and Ede-Oballa have indicated interest for the chairman, will the party force other communities to produce aspirants,' he asked
Mr Daniel Ugwuja, the immediate past chairman of the council and Mr Louis Amoke, personal assistant to Vita Abba, PDP state chairman from Ede-Oballa, are contesting for the slot.
Similarly, Opi community is throwing up Mr Cosmas Ugwueze, the present vice-chairman, and Mr Chinaeme Onyeke, Special Assistant on Media to Nsukka LG chairman as aspirants.