A stonewall which Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, hit at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national headquarters on Tuesday, October 28 may make him rethink his senatorial ambition under the banner of the party.
He bubbled with enthusiasm and jetted from his warm Coal City to Abuja only to receive a cold reception from the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).
Chime arrived at the national secretariat at 11am, hoping to see the party’s National Chairman, Ahmadu Mu’azu, but did not succeed, even after waiting for over five hours.
Background of frosty relationship
His frosty relationship with those in the corridors of national power has many layers.
The rift in the state PDP widened penultimate week following the resignation of Vita Abba as Chairman, forcing Chime to go to Abuja.
He had previously boasted to the national leadership that “I don’t come here to visit anybody; I have never done that before.”
Sources also disclosed that Chime was snubbed because of his disrespect for President Goodluck Jonathan and other PDP chieftains who had pleaded with him in vain over the “chicken impeachment” of his Deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi.
Chime wants to swap jobs with Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who says he wants to deploy his experience and good standing at the federal level to govern and lift Enugu State.
Chime equally has opposition in his domain.
State PDP Deputy Chairman, David Aja, rejected the appointment of Enugu State Housing Development Cooperation (ESHDC) Managing Director, Ikeje Asogwa, as acting state PDP Chairman, after the resignation of Abba.
Chime wants to choose his successor, against the wishes of Ekweremadu, and Senator Ayogu Eze, who also wants to be governor.
Endorsement of candidates
Before Abba resigned, the State Working Committee (SWC) had announced the endorsement of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as PDP governorship candidate. This drew the ire of the NWC, which issued a statement that annulled the pronouncement and banned endorsement by state chapters.
PDP top shots in Abuja are not happy with Chime’s disdain for their directive, evident in the continued endorsement of candidates by other organs of the state PDP under his watch.
He brought Asogwa to Abuja to introduce him to the party leadership, but the controversial manner of Asogwa’s emergence made the NWC to refuse to see them so as not to create the impression that Asogwa is endorsed by the national secretariat.
Chime arrived Wadata Plaza with a retinue of stern-looking security personnel who harassed anyone who came close to his official vehicle parked near the main entrance, even as thousands of supporters from around the country accompanied candidates to pick or submit nomination forms.
Chime was led by protocol through the back door to Mu’azu’s waiting room on the third floor. He waited five hours. Nobody showed up. He left in anger.
