PDP primaries: Ohakim never endorsed any aspirant, says aide

The  Political  Adviser  to Governor  Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Mr Rex Anunuobi has dismissed rumours making rounds that the governor  endorsed some aspirants during the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in the state.

Anunuobi, who addressed journalists in Owerri  yesterday said  Ohakim never endorsed any aspirant that emerged as candidate. He said: 'His   Excellency, Governor Ohakim, whom I serve as a Political Adviser didn't anoint any aspirant for any office. He repeatedly declared his neutrality before the primaries and that's why there were surprises.'

According to him,  the governor had wished all the lawmakers that worked closely with him emerged but owing to his disposition as a democrat, he resorted to creating a level playing  field for all aspirants to test their popularity  and on the other hand create the environment for votes to count.

He admitted that the scenario where some incumbent lawmakers lost in the primaries was always expected in a contest where a level playing field was provided.

'Though a loser is naturally bound to be aggrieved, we expect that they will remain in the big umbrella, considering the transparency and credibility that marked the exercise.

'They will definitely come to reality that the governor, who is also the leader of the party in the state, ensured that it was not business as usual by providing the enabling environment for credible primaries.'

He further expressed that it was not surprising  that the governor  emerged candidate  of the PDP in the  keenly contested governorship  primaries,  owing  to his good  work and  concerted  efforts  so far made to transform Imo into  a modern  model  state.