CHIME, EKWEREMADU DARE NWODO

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State at the weekend broke his silence on the current crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu when he declared that the National Chairman of the party Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, cannot succeed in his attempt to impose himself as the leader of the party in the state.

Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, on his part insisted that the move by some members PDP in Enugu State to change the existing structure of the party by pushing for the dissolution of the Vita Abba-led executive committee would never succeed.

The duo of Chime and Ekweremadu spoke at the headquarters of Udi Local Government Area during a constituency tour by the deputy Senate president during which about 720 power generating sets were distributed amongst PDP party executives from ward to state levels from the two local governments of Udi and Ezzagu.

Governor Chime described the PDP in Enugu as a mass movement and not a one-man show, saying any attempt by anybody to hijack the party, no matter how highly placed, would be resisted. 'Whoever comes into PDP and wants to be a godfather is wasting his time because the party is a movement of the people and not one-man show.

It is true we have not done primaries but we know our guiding principle which is whoever does well will be supported to continue.  All those who have indicated interest in Enugu West Senatorial seat will be invited for discussion,' Chime said.

He, however, assured Ekweremadu of his support and that of Enugu West, asserting that 'the beauty of democracy is that if you perform well during the first time you will be given another chance.' In his speech, Ekweremadu said: 'We have experienced some unfortunate developments within our party in the last two weeks. As you are aware, in order to ensure equitable participation of all, we agreed to work for the emergence of one of our own as national chairman of the PDP.  As I said in 2008, I want to repeat that nobody will change this (party) structure and it can never change.

'Everyday the radio and newspapers say there is problem in Enugu State and that the party's exco has been dissolved. I am coming from Abuja and I can tell you that the party's executive in the state has not been dissolved. The PDP we have in Enugu State is like a very fast train, if you are deceived to get out of it, you will have yourself to blame.