Imo guber: PDP’s Anyanwu picks Onyereri, ex-lawmaker, as running mate

Samuel Anyanwu, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo, has picked Jones Onyereri, a former member of the house of representatives, as his running mate.

Anyanwu presented Onyereri to the state working committee (SWC) of the party on Tuesday during an interactive session with stakeholders at the party’s headquarters in Owerri.

He described Onyereri as a grassroots politician who can win Orlu zone to the party in the governorship election which will hold in November.

“Having presented my deputy today, I sincerely seek your support. With your individuals support, we will surely win the race,” Anyanwu said. 

Onyereri, a two-time member of the green chamber, was the candidate of the PDP for the Imo west senatorial election in the 2023 elections.

However, in January, the supreme court nullified the primary election that produced him as the party’s flagbearer for the senatorial district. 

The apex court held that the PDP violated section 87(9) of the electoral act 2022 by conducting the primary election in Owerri, the state capital — outside Orlu which is the headquarters of the Imo west district.

The court also held that since the time for the conduct of the primary election to nominate candidates was already over, the Imo PDP would not have a candidate in the February 25 national assembly poll.

Anyanwu, a former senator, won the party’s governorship ticket early this month. He was the sole candidate in the race following the withdrawal of other aspirants.

Anyanwu will contest against Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).