Ihedioha’s absence at Samdaddy’s flag-off anger PDP Leaders

Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have expressed anger as former Imo state governor and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, was conspicuously absent at the party governorship election campaign Flag-Off in Owerri, Imo state.

The Flag-Off, which was massively attended, witnessed the presence of governors elected on the platform of the PDP, Board of Trustees (BoT) members, members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and other critical stakeholders from Imo State, the South East Zone and other parts of the country.

It was gathered that on Monday, PDP leaders and stakeholders in Imo and the South East Zone in Enugu, had in a meeting, resolved to work together and give full support to the Party as well as its candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Imo State.

A source at the meeting revealed that their resolution was to rally round Senator Anyanwu so as to ensure the victory of the Party at the election.

The source added that the leaders resolved that all Party leaders from Imo State should attend the flag-off ceremony.

The party leaders, according to the source, were, however, surprised that Hon. Ihedioha acted against their directive.

The source, which hinted that the South East Zonal Caucus will decide on the matter at the rescheduled meeting in Enugu on Friday before any other item, said, “the flag-off was a huge success.

“The mammoth crowd was organic and showed that the people of Imo State are solidly behind our Party. It also confirmed that our Party in Imo State is united behind our candidate, Senator Anyanwu.

“However, Party leaders are not happy and disappointed with Hon. Ihedioha for his absence at the flag-off which is in clear defiance and disregard to the decision of the South East leaders of the Party in Enugu, where it was unanimously agreed that all Party leaders from Imo State should attend the event.

“Hon. Ihedioha was part of that agreement. His decision to stay away from a very crucial event such as the campaign flag-off of the Party ahead of a decisive election in his State despite the express decision and directive of the Party is rather unfortunate.

“The mark of a good Party leader in a democratic setting is simple respect for decisions and agreements reached by the Party. Hon. Ihedioha was part of the decision at the Enugu meeting but chose to act in defiance of the agreement and directive.”

The source said that Hon. Ihedioha’s absence has led to serious loss of confidence in his capacity and open-mindedness required of a Party leader, adding, “the Party at the national, zonal and state levels are concerned by his action.

“His conduct has led to serious loss of confidence in his capacity, competence and open-mindedness as a Party leader. What should be paramount to any good Party leader at this moment is the success of our Party in the November election and not the pursuit of personal interest.”