The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) in Anambra state may have been resolved on the heels of a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the National headquarters of the party in Abuja,our correspondent has reported .
Insiders said the letter which was dated 23rd October, 2014 addressed to the National chairman of the party with registration number INEC/LEG/ LM/AN/04/V/540 which was signed by Musa H. Adamu, for secretary to INEC.
In clear terms,the letter noted that INEC would only deal with the Ejike Oguebego-led executive of the party in Anambra State. This executive committee is believed to be loyal to the Chief Chris Uba faction of PDP in the state.
In the same vein,it was learnt that letter has been acknowledged by the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on 30th October, 2014.
The INEC letter to the (PDP) was entitled :Re; current status of the leadership of People’s Democratic Party in Anambra state.
The letter said , “The Commission acknowledged receipt of several letters on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in Anambra state. Several Court orders, Rulings, Consent judgments in which INEC was not a party were also attached”.
“You may wish to note that the commission monitored a state congress of the People Democratic Party in Anambra State at which Chief Ejike Oguebego was elected as chairman of the party in the state”.
“Further, you may wish to note that the Federal High Court Division in its Ruling of 12th September, 2013 in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/213/13 between Ejike Oguebego & 2 Ors vs. PDP & 3 Ors ordered both the Peoples Democratic Party and INEC to recognize and deal with the Ejike Oguebego led state Executive Committee in all elections in Anambra state”.
“The said order is still subsisting and an appeal arising thereto is yet to be determined at the Court of Appeal”.
“Consequently, the Commission is left with no choice but to continue to recognize Chief Ejike Oguebego as the chairman of your party in Anambra state until specifically ordered otherwise by a court of law”.
“Therefore, you are advised to accord necessary recognition to the Chief Ejike Oguebego and his Executive Committee accordingly” .
“Please accept the assurances of the Commission” ,the letter said.
One of Chief Chris Uba’s associates who spoke on the issue in Abuja the chieftain has called this latest twist a victory for democracy.
The associate said : “Let me remind you that Uba is not just another member of the PDP but he is a major stakeholder who has invested heavily in the party in the state and at the national level”.
He said further,“He is also a valuable asset to the party at the state and national level and he would not seat back idly while some persons, who never made any input, plot to take the machinery of the party in Anambra State from him”
“They did not build the party with him and cannot reap from the back door. That is not going to happen, especially now that INEC has duly recognized the Ejike Oguebego-led executive,”the associate said.
