PDP has hijacked our party, says APC group in Enugu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Enugu state has allegedly planted agents in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack Enugu east senatorial district.

A group known as the Concerned Nkanuland members of the APC said this in a statement on Wednesday.

They said it had become “an open secret” that one Lawrence Eze would clinch the nomination as the APC candidate for the senatorial seat.

The group alleged that the plan is being masterminded by Jim Nwobodo, a PDP chieftain in the state.

According to the statement, Eze who contested the PDP primary in Eugu east senatorial zone on Tuesday, allegedly placed one Ann Ezemba as a proxy candidate in the APC.

Abdulrahman Yunusa, the returning officer for the election, had declared the exercise inconclusive due to shortage of ballot papers.

The group alleged that Eze placed Ezemba in the APC to stand in for him in case he lost the PDP election.

“It is now an open secret that Prince Lawrence Eze of PDP will clinch the nomination as the APC candidate for the Enugu East Senatorial District,” the statement read.

“This odd sounding plan has been masterminded by Chief Jim Nwobodo and Mr. Baywood Ibe (the self-titled APC emperor of Enugu State).

“In this particular instance PDP is attempting to put one of their men in a position to block any credible challenge to the Enugu East Senatorial district seat. Prince Lawrence Eze is a lifelong PDP member

“Reports indicate that this effort is being led by Jim Nwobodo. The former Governor of Old Anambra State and member of the PDP board of trustees. Although is an APC elder in Enugu at the moment his commitment to the party has long been questioned.

“The plan constitutes the use of a proxy candidate to stand in until such a time that Prince Eze can step in. The stooge for their dishonorable plan is one Mrs. Ann Uchenna Ezemba. She is a known domestic staff of Prince Eze and is a virtual unknown within the party.”

The group called on the leadership of the party to wade into the situation.

“She has never been a party member and has no real support. She has clearly been forced down the throat of the party members,” the statement read.

“Prince Lawrence Eze has clearly used this woman as a stand-in in the event he fails to gain the nomination for PDP.

“She will no doubt step down when she is declared winner at which time Prince Lawrence Eze will take her place. Then the deception will be complete.

“Even now Prince Lawrence is still PDP to the core and will likely decamp again if elected or constitute an opposition within the party as some senators have been doing.

“If PDP is allowed to tamper with the Senatorial candidate process it will further erode the power of the party in the Senate.

“This will only add to more opposition to the great agenda of President Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshimole.”