Mr. Sunday Ikechukwu Damian, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State, has alerted Governor Peter Mbah about an alleged effort by Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, a House of Representatives member for the Awgu/Oji-River/Aninri Federal Constituency, to oust all elected ward executives of the party in the area. Damian expressed his concerns in a statement released to the media on Thursday. He claimed that Onwuegbu recently met with the state PDP chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, seeking his support to remove the current ward executive members. According to Damian, Onwuegbu’s intention is to replace them with candidates of his choosing. He remarked, “We were initially skeptical about the rumors, but as time went on, it became clear that there might be truth to it. This was further confirmed last week when Dr. Uche Ugochukwu led Engr.” Anayo Onwuegbu is set to meet with the state chairman, Dr. Chukwunweike, at his home to address this concerning and undemocratic agenda. “According to a reliable source, the PDP Enugu State chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike, informed Omeiheukwu and Dr. Uche Uzochukwu that he would consult with the Chief of Staff at the Enugu State Government House and get back to them.” “The newly elected ward executives are worried that since taking office, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu has not convened a meeting with Oji River stakeholders or the communities of Oji, Awgu, and Aninri to update them on the mandate entrusted to him.” “Since his swearing-in as the representative for Oji River/Awgu/Aninri, his actions have primarily focused on further dividing the region into smaller factions.” He suggested that instead of spending money to remove the ward leaders, the lawmaker should support and guide them towards progress. “Does this mean that Engr Onwuegbu’s Christmas gift to the Party in Oji River LGA is to dismiss the ward executives rather than provide them with bags of rice like his peers? “Engr Anayo Onwuegbu (Omeiheukwu) should realize that the current ward executives of Oji River LGA were involved in electing the new local government executives. “They also voted for the current executive chairman of Oji River LGA, Greg Anyaegbudike.” Similarly, they also took part in and supported the current PDP ENUGU State executives led by Dr. Martin Chukwunweike. “If he does not acknowledge the Oji River Local Government ward executives, then he should also dismiss the Zonal and State executives of PDP in Enugu State,” he added. “The law states that once you associate with the whole, you are automatically affiliated with the parts,” he continued. The party leader further remarked: “We are bringing to the attention of the governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Barr Peter Mbah, these undemocratic practices, which would be detrimental to the party. “We also urge the state party chairman to combat these disruptive plans from those who do not have the party’s or the state’s best interests at heart. “For Dr. Uche Uzochukwu, our advice is to take action while the opportunity is available and distance himself from anything that could destabilize the party. “Anyone taking steps that could create confusion in the party is engaging in anti-party activities and should be cautioned accordingly.” Attempts to obtain responses from the legislator were not successful by the time this report was filed.
