By Martin Opara
Some prominent leaders and stakeholders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Orlu zone, who spoke recently on condition of anonymity expressed their dislike and disillusionment of how former governor Achike Udenwa as the apex leader in the zone, is running the affairs of the party as a private estate. This, they said is coming on the heels of the appointment of his brother as the party’s youth leader.
Chief Udenwa is also said to be running the party with his kinsmen, and completely ignoring the advice and input of other leaders and stakeholders. “This is why a good number of the stalwarts who have the capacity to make reasonable impact and contribute to the growth of the party are abandoning it for other political parties”.
They also recalled how, he in 2011, single handedly, gave himself the senatorial ticket of Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) for Orlu senatorial zone, gave two of his kinsmen tickets for the federal house of representatives and the Imo State House of Assembly seats respectively. This made other members of the party, who felt marginalized, to work against him and his candidates, hence they failed woefully.
They noted with dismay, that with what is presently playing out in Orlu, local government area, they will not be surprised, if he decides to donate the House of Representatives and Orlu state constituency tickets to his Amaifeke brethren, without recourse to transparency, equity, and fairness. They wondered why he is more after his personal interests, instead of concentrating on how the party will bounce back to relevance; “this should be his primary concern now, as an apex leader and not pursuing shadows”.
Efforts to reach Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who is believed to be the apex leader of the PDP in Imo state, proved abortive, as he did not take his calls.
