Reports emanating from Abia State say Governor Theodore Orji may have initiated a crisis in the state Peoples Democratic Party after he allegedly anointed an inexperienced successor much to the displeasure of party big guns who are interested in contesting the 2015 gubernatorial election.
The City Reporters gathered that T.A. Orji in Abuja at the weekend secretly anointed the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) Aba Zone, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, as his successor in 2015.
According to party sources, the action of the governor to secretly endorse Ikpeazu as his successor has left political big wigs like Senator Abaribe, Barrister Friday Nwosu and Senator Nkechi Nwaogu (whose seat the governor now bids to fill) eyeing the number one position in the state furious.
Others are of the opinion that the recent action of the governor would give his former boss Orji Uzor Kalu, who told APC members that visited him in his Aso Rock that he is comfortable in PDP, edge the battle to control the party structure in the state.
The City Reporters gathered that the incumbent governor preferred Ikpeazu, a greenhorn in politics, so he could easily manipulate him – a possibility that may vanish should a seasoned politician succeed the governor.
A source who spoke to The City Reporters in confidence alleged that the incident may have been in the offing for a very long time.
To further prove a point, the source disclosed that Ikpeazu was appointed ASEPA boss to make enough money to fund his 2015 campaign even as the governor will also be spending money to finance his election into the Senate in 2015.
The source also said arrangements had already been concluded for Gov. Orji to award mouthwatering contracts in the state to Ikpeazu so as to empower him with more funds to vie for the coveted gubernatorial seat.
The source also reveal that the governor has promised Uzo Azubuike a second term in the House of Representatives, and Abaribe a third legislative term which the senator reportedly rejected.
Aspirants from Obingwa such as Abaribe, Nwosu, and former Deputy Governor Eric Acho Nwakanma were said to have been making secret consultation with political stakeholders on their 2015 ambition before the alleged adoption of Ikpeazu came to light.
The report has caused some stakeholders in the party to question the action of the governor which they said contravened fairness and warned that it could cost the party victory in 2015 election.
A PDP stakeholder said “aspirants have been making contacts with the powers that be in Abuja since the news filtered into our ears. They are also threatening that the adoption of Ikpeazu cannot hold.
“Let me tell you, every aspirant interested in the governorship position must face the party primaries. The era of godfatherism and adoption of candidates in Abia state has gone. Gov. Orji has also insisted that godfatherism would no longer be entertained in Abia politics.
“For him to have turned around now if he actually adopted Ikpeazu is and will not be welcomed. The party primaries will soon come up in October/ November when we will decide who will flag our party’s flag.
“A lot of events will take place between now and then. Until then, we will keep our fingers crossed. But let me assure you of one thing, our party is too big for someone to seat in a hotel room or wherever they may find themselves to impose someone on us or determine who runs for a position. We are waiting for the primaries,”.
Sourced from The City Report
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