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

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra has suspended Jude Ezenwafor, its governorship candidate in the recently concluded election, over alleged of anti-party activities.

Chidi Chidebe, the PDP chairman in Anambra, said party’s state executive committee (SEC) passed the resolution on Tuesday during a meeting in Awka, the state capital.

Chidebe said the suspension would remain in effect for one month, noting that the next action would be taken after the disciplinary committee presents its report.

According to the party chairman, Ezenwafor did not campaign in any ward, LGA, or anywhere across the state during the entire election period, up to the final day of campaigning.

“His unconvincing and fabricated story of an alleged assassination and extortion of genuine party members, including his own running mate and other manipulative behaviours, were unbecoming of a candidate of our great party,” Chidebe said.

“His establishment of a parallel gang of impostors, mostly non-members of the PDP, to unlawfully interfere with and perform party functions.

“In light of the above and after due deliberation, the SEC resolved that Mr Jude Ezenwafor is hereby suspended from the PDP for a period of one month with immediate effect.

“That he be referred to the state party disciplinary committee for further investigation and appropriate recommendations.

“The national working committee (NWC) is thereby formally notified and advised not to grant Ezenwafor or his collaborators any further access or recognition as their activities are clearly aimed at destabilising the party.”

Chidebe said when it became clear the candidate lacked the capacity and interest to hold meetings or campaign; the party convened a meeting with all council executive committee members on November 7 and instructed them to support PDP candidate in their respective areas.

“This collective effort was the major reason our party was able to secure a total of 1,401 votes, as officially declared, placing the PDP 6th among the 16 political parties that participated in the election,” he said.

“It is on record that the governorship candidate secured only one vote in his own ward, Nnobi Ward 3, Idemili south local government area, a ward with 12 polling units.

“This abysmal performance represents the worst result for PDP 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 under the leadership of ambassador Umar Damagum.”

The PDP placed sixth in the Anambra governorship election with 1,401 votes.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won the poll with 422,664 votes, followed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with 99,445, the Young Progressives Party (YPP) with 37,753, and the Labour Party (LP) with 10,576.

On Monday, Ezenwafor congratulated Chukwuma Soludo, governor of Anambra, on his re-election and pledged to work with him.

Ezenwafor described his relationship with Soludo as longstanding and cordial.

“I can assist him. I have been assisting him before; he is a friend of mine. I brought him to work in Anambra,” he said.