The lingering political supremacy crisis tearing apart the soul of the Aniocha North local government Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Delta state, is said to have taken a new dramatic twist as the embattled member representing the area in the state Assembly, Emeka Nwaobi, has concluded plans to dump his party, the PDP for the All Progressives Congress, (APC), HardReporters can authoritatively reports.
Our impeccable sources who confided in our correspondent revealed that to kick start his defection move, the lawmaker took out time last week Friday to attend attended a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ward Seven (07), held at the Issele-Uku residence of the ward chairman, Mr. Victor Eziuche Nwosu, and made a personal donation of N150, 000 as a gesture of his determination to pitch tent with the ruling party.
It was reliably gathered that the troubled legislator who has been embroiled in series of political controversies in his local government has out of desperation for a return ticket to the house next year, resorted to soliciting and courting one of the major opposition parties in the state.
“Engr. Nwaobi may have chosen the option of seeking succour from the opposition party in the face of monumental obstacles he has been wrestling with recently in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) both within and outside his local government which has resulted in suspension and counter suspension of party officials, leaders and members in the area.”
Our correspondent learnt that the controversial legislator whose emergence as the PDP 2015 candidate, who was fraught with alleged dubious undercurrents was quoted as telling the APC members that his problems in PDP started after he turned down a request by a female PDP top notch in Aniocha North, Nkem Okwuofu, to surrender the fund earmarked for road construction in the area for sharing.
According to a member of the PDP in the area who pleaded for anonymity, noted that the embattled lawmaker has bitten more than he can swallow as a result he is looking for where to take solace.
“Emeka Nwaobi has stepped on toes and had fallen out with the godfathers and godmothers in PDP and due to his overreaching attitude, prominent amongst which was the masterminding of illegal swearing-in of the Aniocha North legislative arm, without the consent of the elected local council chairman, Chuks Oseme, party leaders, as well as announcing the suspension of the LGA PDP chairman, Victor Egbune alongside the party’s publicity secretary in the state, Ifeanyi Mike Isuoza (Agenda) and some notable party leaders including, Ndudi Elumelu, Emmanuel Eboh and Chuks Oseme, the council chairman.” our source said.
It was reliably gathered that though the internal bickering had received attention of the state chapter of the PDP and the state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, but the Nwaobi’s led faction of the gladiators seems not satisfied with the outcome of a meeting held at the PDP Secretariat in Asaba, whereby the party leadership was reported to have cautioned Nwaobi and his cohorts against overheating the polity.
Another source who is abreast with the whole political crisis, also explained that Nwaobi’s recalcitrance may have stemmed from the party’s reluctance or inability to avail him of total control of the party structure in Aniocha North, even as the Nkem Okwuofu’s camp is not favourably disposed to, rather bent on ousting him (Nwaobi) by parading one Bazim Sally Biose (BSB), an Issele-Uku indigene as Nwaobi’s would be replacement under PDP platform come 2019.
It was gathered that realizing that he may have lost the party structure and his second term ticket, pushed Nwaobi to request the APC executive in his ward seven do host a meeting on his behalf which was obliged.
At the meeting, he was said to have confided in the APC ward 7 Exco of his determination to take on the PDP leadership head-on, pleading that they (APC) should accept him, even as he urged them to remain united as has been the practice, adding that he “marvels at the unity and tensile spirit existing amongst the APC in ward 7, Aniocha North.”
When contacted for comment, the embattled lawmaker, Mr. Emeka Nwaobi, could not respond to calls put to his mobile line as at the time of filing in this report.
