By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Southeast National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ali Odefa, has called on persons aspiring to grab the party ticket for this year’s governorship election in Anambra State to spend their money wisely.

He said that any money given to anyone in Abuja or Aso Rock to sway the primary election in their favour will be a waste.

Ali described the aspirants as fit and capable of governing the state.

He added: “I know Anambra well, I have conducted elections here, and most of you are my friends, but for now, I renounce my friendship with you. I get a lot of messages from you (aspirants), but let me tell you that the delegates will help you more than I will.

“We are not delegates here, and our members don’t have votes here, and so we cannot help you. We rather urge you to spend your money wisely. If you give money to anyone, in Abuja or Aso Rock to influence the primary election for yourself, it is a dash.”

“Channel their resources to wooing delegates in the state as they are the ones that will elect a candidate for the party in the forthcoming election.

“I am happy with the level of maturity among the contestants. We will bring people to come and learn from what you are doing here.”

The National vice chairman who spoke in Awka, during a stakeholders meeting of the party, asked members to discountenance rumours making the rounds that another governor from the Southeast was making moves to leave the party.

Giving insight on the state of the party in the zone, Odefa described Anambra, Enugu and Abia States as PDP strongholds.

“Anambra is fully a PDP state. With two Senators and six House of Representatives members from the state, you will know that Anambra is a PDP state.

“You may have heard one rumour or the other, that a governor from the zone is planning to leave, but it is not true. No governor is leaving the PDP. We all know what happened in Ebonyi and we are happy that the governor there left, we are not feeling any void at all, the state still remains a PDP state,” he said.

He further stated: “We are calling on all of you here and the ones that are not here to go and withdraw all your cases in court and let’s come home and resolve whatever difference we have. We may not all agree with ourselves, but because of the interest of the party, we must ensure that we work together.

“I am happy with the level of maturity among the contestants. We will bring people to learn from what you are doing here. Save for misunderstanding, no state is more PDP than Anambra. A pioneer founder is from here, and I know that PDP will get to the government house again.

“If we work hard, we will be in the Government House next year. I am very confident about this. It is simple. We want to bring transparency in the primary election processes. The process must be free and fair. We know that if the process is transparent, contestants will not work against the party during the election.

“The world knows, Anambra people are rich, but at this level, the money is not the attraction. The attraction is beating my chest and saying that PDP has a governor in Anambra. Please do not give us money to influence the primary election for yourselves.”

On his part, the former vice presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, enjoined the aspirants to go into the field and convince electorates for their votes instead of fighting among themselves.

He said: “None of you aspirants are contesting elections against each other, the man you are contesting against is Willie Obiano. You must do all to go out and canvass for votes.”

Personalities at the meeting included the state chairman of the party, Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, Senator Ben Obi, most of the party’s governorship aspirants as well as major stakeholders of the party.

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