PDP suspends governorship candidate Ezenwafor after disastrous performance in Anambra election
The Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), rose from the State Executive Committee (SEC), and announced the suspension of its governorship candidate in last Saturday’s election, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, over alleged sabotage.
The PDP came a distance 4th with 1,401 votes while the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Governor Chukwuma Soludo secured 422,664 votes to emerge the winner.
The PDP came behind Labour Party candidate which got 10,505 votes to come third while the second runner-up, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate secured 99,445 votes.
After reviewing the party’s performance at the SEC meeting held party’s office in Awka on Tuesday, the party said the suspension, which will last for a period of one month, is with immediate effect.
The party however, noted that it would not going to contest the outcome of the November 8 election in court or elsewhere.
The state Chairman of PDP, Mr Chidi Chidebe, conveyed the decision of the SEC while briefing journalists after the meeting, said that the party had earlier expressed deep concerns over the ‘disturbing conduct’ of Ezenwafor.
Chidebe said the candidate exhibited attitudes that were not only uncooperative but also outrightly destructive to the collective interest of the party throughout the campaign period.
He said that Ezenwafor failed to campaign in any ward, local government, or across the state throughout the entire electioneering period up to the last date for campaigns.
According to him, among the issues that previously worried the SEC were his connivance with candidates of other political parties to deliberately sabotage the chances of the PDP in the election.
“His establishment of a parallel gang of impostors, mostly non-members of the PDP, to unlawfully interfere with and perform party functions.
“In light of the above and after due deliberation, the SEC resolved that Mr Jude Ezenwafor is hereby suspended from the PDP for a period of one month with immediate effect.
“That he be referred to the State Party Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and appropriate recommendations.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) is thereby formally notified and advised not to grant Ezenwafor or his collaborators any further access or recognition as their activities are clearly aimed at destabilising the party,” he said
The PDP SEC said when it became evident that the candidate lacked the capacity and interest to convene meetings or campaign, it convened a meeting with all Council Executive Committee members on Nov. 7 and directed them to vote for PDP candidates in their respective domains.
This collective effort was the major reason our party was able to secure a total of 1,401 votes, as officially declared, placing the PDP 6th among the 16 political parties that participated in the election.
“It is on record that the governorship candidate secured only one vote in his own ward, Nnobi Ward 3, Idemili South Local Government Area, a ward with 12 polling units.
“This abysmal performance represents the worst result for PDP in any ward across the state and clearly exposes his lack of character, credibility, and commitment to both the party and the election,” he said.
The party, expressed unwavering commitment to uphold party discipline, unity, and principles of internal democracy.
“We are determined to rebuild and reposition the party under the leadership of Amb. Umar Damagum,” he said.
