‘He got only one vote in his ward,’ PDP suspends Anambra governorship candidate

By Chimezie Anaso

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday suspended Mr Jude Ezenwafor, its candidate in last Saturday’s Anambra governorship election for one month over alleged sabotage of the party before the election.

The suspension of Ezenwafor was announced at the end of Anambra Executive Committee (SEC) of the PDP at the party’s office in Awka on Tuesday.

The suspension which was with immediate effect, Mr Chidi Chidebe, Chairman of PDP, Anambra told journalists followed deep concerns expressed by the party earlier over the ‘disturbing conduct’ of Ezenwafor.

According to him, Ezenwafor exhibited attitudes that were not only uncooperative, but out rightly destructive to the collective interest of the party throughout the campaign period.

He claimed that the PDP candidate failed to campaign in any ward, local government, or across the state throughout the entire electioneering period up to the last date for campaigns for the November 8 governorship election.

According to him, among the issues that previously worried SEC were his connivance with candidates of other political parties to deliberately sabotage the chances of the PDP in the election.

“His unconvincing and fabricated story of an alleged assassination and extortion of genuine party members, including his own running mate and other manipulative behaviours were unbecoming of a candidate of our great party.

“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.

Anambra PDP said it was steadfast in its commitment to uphold party discipline, unity, principles of internal democracy.

“We are determined to rebuild and reposition the party under the leadership of Amb. Umar Damagum,” he said.

Commenting on the conduct of Nov. 8 election, PDP said the exercise, saying that it would not contest the outcome in court or elsewhere.

Effort to get the reaction of suspended candidate was not fruitful as his line was switched off.

(NAN)