Contrary to insinuations in certain quarters, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State chapter says its gubernatorial ticket likewise others for the 2023 polls are up for grabs by all qualified party members.
Rising from a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday, September 24 in Owerri, the party said it is founded on democratic principles which restrain it from hampering or restricting the political aspirations of its members.
The party declared that members who are interested in seeking the nomination of the party for any elective office are at liberty to do so provided that such aspirations are pursued in line with decency, party constitution and best practices in party politics.
The party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled state government led by Senator Hope Uzodimma of resorting to several artifices in order to gain an upper hand during the 2023 general polls.
In a statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Collins Opurozor, the PDP listed such artifices to include compromising the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) voters register and sponsorship of fake stories against the party.
The PDP informed that to avert the electoral heist being planned by the APC, it has intensified efforts toward mobilizing the people of the state for free and fair polls while resisting the wicked plot of the ruling party to manipulate the voters’ register.
It enjoined the INEC to ensure that the vexed issue of voters register fraud is expeditiously resolved, adding that the tainted register must be thoroughly cleaned up, in order to restore public confidence in the electoral system.
Stakeholders expressed their determination to unseat the APC government in the state and deliver all the PDP candidates across the state, regretting that Imo has been run aground by the APC.
They hailed the Charles Ugwuh-led State Working Committee for its vision, dedication and uprightness which has been brought to bear in steering the affairs of the party and in surmounting the challenges peculiar to a party in opposition.
Earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Charles Ugwuh unveiled the action plan which has been put in place to expand the democratic space within the party, energize the party at the grassroots and record resounding victories in the 2023 general elections.
He also urged the candidates to keep working in sync with the electoral template of the party, which he described as the surest path to seamless victory.
Also speaking, the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, who was represented by his Principal Secretary, Dr. Bruno Ekwelem, lauded the SWC for its giant strides.
He appealed to stakeholders to uphold the unity of the party and cautioned against divisiveness and the unwholesome tendency to cast a slur on party leaders.
