Anambra PDP Chieftain Petitions Wike Over Congress Dispute

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra State, Chief Amaechi Onowu, has submitted a petition to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over a dispute surrounding the ongoing party congress in the state.

The complaint relates to the process being used to conduct the exercise meant to elect new leaders for the party.
Onowu, who is seeking the position of state chairman, raised the issue during a press briefing with journalists in Abuja.

He said the congress process in Anambra State has been taken over by some individuals who are controlling how the exercise is being conducted.

The congress is part of the party’s internal process to choose new state executives who will manage the affairs of the party. However, the situation has created tension among party members due to disagreements about how forms for the contest are being distributed and who is allowed to take part.

According to Onowu, the chairmanship position was zoned to the Anambra Central Senatorial District. He said he is a registered member of the party from Idemili North Local Government Area and believes the process should be open to all eligible members who wish to contest.

He alleged that some individuals within the party have taken control of the sale of congress forms across the state. The development, he said, has prevented some interested members and party stakeholders from obtaining the necessary forms needed to participate in the contest.

Onowu also claimed that the situation has affected the entire congress process across the 21 local government areas in Anambra State. He alleged that the caretaker committee chairman in the state had restricted access to the forms, which he believes has denied many loyal party members the opportunity to take part in the election of new party leaders.

He said the actions being carried out contradict earlier guidance from the national leadership of the party, which encouraged open participation by registered members in the congress process.

The chieftain warned that if the situation is not corrected and the sale of forms is not opened to interested members, he may seek legal action. He stated that he plans to approach the court by the following week if the issues raised are not addressed and transparency is not restored to the process.

The dispute has added to concerns about internal disagreements within the party in Anambra State as members prepare for the completion of the congress meant to produce new state executives.