Anambra PDP suspends governorship candidate Ezenwafor over ‘anti-party activities’

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra has suspendedJude Ezenwafor, its governorship candidate in the recently concluded election,over alleged of anti-party activities. Chidi Chidebe, the PDP chairman in Anambra, said party’sstate executive committee (SEC) passed the resolution on Tuesday during ameeting in Awka, the state capital. Chidebe said the suspension would remain in effect for onemonth, noting that the next action would be taken after the disciplinarycommittee presents its report. According to the party chairman, Ezenwafor did not campaignin any ward, LGA, or anywhere across the state during the entire electionperiod, up to the final day of campaigning. “His unconvincing and fabricated story of an allegedassassination and extortion of genuine party members, including his own runningmate and other manipulative behaviours, were unbecoming of a candidate of ourgreat party,” Chidebe said. “His establishment of a parallel gang of impostors, mostlynon-members of the PDP, to unlawfully interfere with and perform partyfunctions. “In light of the above and after due deliberation, the SECresolved that Mr Jude Ezenwafor is hereby suspended from the PDP for a periodof one month with immediate effect. “That he be referred to the state party disciplinarycommittee for further investigation and appropriate recommendations. “The national working committee (NWC) is thereby formallynotified and advised not to grant Ezenwafor or his collaborators any furtheraccess or recognition as their activities are clearly aimed at destabilisingthe party.” Chidebe said when it became clear the candidate lacked thecapacity and interest to hold meetings or campaign; the party convened ameeting with all council executive committee members on November 7 andinstructed them to support PDP candidate in their respective areas. “This collective effort was the major reason our party wasable to secure a total of 1,401 votes, as officially declared, placing the PDP6th among the 16 political parties that participated in the election,” he said. “It is on record that the governorship candidate securedonly one vote in his own ward, Nnobi Ward 3, Idemili south local governmentarea, a ward with 12 polling units. “This abysmal performance represents the worst result forPDP in any ward across the state and clearly exposes his lack of character,credibility and commitment to both the party and the election. “We are determined to rebuild and reposition the party underthe leadership of ambassador Umar Damagum.” The PDP placed sixth in the Anambra governorship electionwith 1,401 votes. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won the poll with422,664 votes, followed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 99,445, theYoung Progressives Party (YPP) with 37,753, and the Labour Party (LP) with10,576. On Monday, Ezenwafor congratulated Chukwuma Soludo, governorof Anambra, on his re-election and pledged to work with him. Ezenwafor described his relationship with Soludo aslongstanding and cordial. “I can assist him. I have been assisting him before; he is afriend of mine. I brought him to work in Anambra,” he said.

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