As the 2023 general elections draw closer with the attendant political alignments, realignments, intrigues and manipulations, the popularity of the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha is said to be gradually waning while his support base in Orlu zone which used to be his strong hold is also said to have weakened considerably, as most of the leaders he enjoyed their support have reportedly shifted their allegiance to the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Samdaddy) who they say is more humane, amiable, charismatic and marketable.
A PDP chieftain who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity posited that the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha is fast loosing grip of the party’s structure as the mass acceptance he enjoyed among the leadership and members of the party in Orlu zone has suddenly become a mirage as some major power brokers in the zone, who were on his side, including ,former State chairman of the PDP, Chief Eze Duruiheoma,SAN,former Leader of Orlu legislative council, Rt.Hon Gozie Nwagba who currently coordinates the political activities of Senator Samuel Anyanwu in Orlu zone have all thrown their weight behind the latter’s political ambition, come 2023.
It was also gathered that 7 out of the 12 local government area chairmen in Orlu zone, including Ideato North, Orlu ,Ohaji/Egbema, Nwangele, Nkwerre, Njaba and Isu have endorsed and thrown their weight behind Samdaddy, while the chairmen of some local government areas are still undecided.
Another source who does not want his name in print said, ‘’it will interest you to know that most leaders of the PDP in Orlu L.G.A and beyond including two former lawmakers, Hon Peter Ukaigwe and Hon Onuorah Olumba, have deserted Chief Emeka Ihedioha and pledged their support for Samdaddy’’.
The source further noted that, ‘’Ihedioha may be a good man but those around him are the ones denting his image and causing problem for him’’. He advised the former Governor ‘’to look inwards and keep a tab on some of the selfish, unpatriotic and self-conceited Leaders around him who are masquerading as supporters’’.
He also stated that the likes of Chief Golden Nwosu, an indigene of Oguta who was Chief Ihedioha’s friend and confidant have also deserted him. All these put together according to him would jeopardize Ihedioha’s emergence as the Governorship candidate of the PDP, come 2023.
