Ex-Imo State Gov, Emeka Ihedioha Dumps PDP, Joins APGA
Nnamdi Chukwu
FORMER Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has now joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 11th November 2023 election in the state.
Eighteen-Eleven Media had on Tuesday reported the withdrawal of the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives from the PDP’s governorship primary.
The former governor was though screened and cleared by the PDP to contest the Party’s primary ahead of the November governorship election in Imo State.
However, in a letter dated 27 March 2023, Ihedioha informed the PDP leadership of his “personal sacrifice” for a “consensus candidate” by the Party.
Ihedioha, who led the state for seven months before the Supreme Court declared Hope Uzodimma,- the current governor – the winner of the 2019 governorship election, ascribed the surprise withdrawal from the contest to the party’s interest.
According to him, “In the interest of harmony and unity of the Party, I have decided to make the personal sacrifice of withdrawing from further participation in the processes leading to the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate.”
He pleaded with those who supported him to comprehend and accept his choice, regretting that people who had begun organising for him may be disappointed.
“And I am sure many of those who have, on their own, already started mobilising for me in Imo State will be disappointed.
“I sincerely seek their understanding and that of associates, admirers and particularly the electorate who have, over the years, aligned themselves and identified with my political aspirations, he added”.
Meanwhile, Eighteen-Eleven Media scooped that Ihedioha’s decision to join APGA may have followed resistance mounted by Obidients (loyalists of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi) who vehemently opposed his attempt to join the Labour Party. They reportedly tore him to shreds over his derogatory comments in a video that trended online.
Supporters of Peter Obi, upon getting hints of the moves by Mr. Ihedioh, reportedly mobilized to resist the former lawmaker citing the betrayal from him when he campaigned against the Labour Party and Peter Obi as well as worked against them during the just concluded presidential election in the state.
After several failed negotiations and persuasions, the embattled former lawmaker was advised to join APGA which he has now done.
A source further revealed that since the stepping aside of Iyorchia Ayu, the former National Chairman of the PDP, things have not remained the same in the Party as loyalists of the former Chairman are now targets of the new head, Umar Iliya Damagum.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
