By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State known as Independent Leaders Forum (ILF) has warned against the imposition of a deputy governorship candidate on the party’s candidate for the November 6, 2021 poll, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo.

The group said on Friday that such attempt will make its members to embark on anti-party activities that will ultimately cost the party its victory in the election.

A press statement signed by the leader of the group, Mr. Obinna Okafor, reads in part: “We have uncovered plans by a certain leader of the party to impose a university professor on Ozigbo, and with a plan ‘B’ of a former lawmaker.

“As lobbying for the post of a deputy governorship candidate/running mate to Mr. Valentine Ozigbo continues, we, the members of ILF have observed the antics to single-handedly impose a running mate/deputy governorship candidate on Ozigbo.

“This is without recourse to other critical stakeholders in the party. We are aware that the choice of a running mate is the business of the party and generality of the major stakeholders. We [therefore] completely reject the choice of Prof. Stella Okunna, who is in her 60s and not a grassroots politician, and also the choice of Hon. Ndubuisi Menakaya, though in his late 50s, but is not a grassroots politician.”

The group warned that it will not hesitate to mobilise youths of the party to work against the party if the plot to foist a running mate on the candidate without the collective input of other critical stakeholders is realized.

It accused the party leader, who was a former Governor of the state of seeking to highjack Ozigbo and also make decisions for him and the party, saying that the plot is taking its toll on the party’s flag bearer to the point that “making some critical decisions are difficult and almost impossible without the input of Obi and his associates.”

“The domineering attitude of this leader was responsible for the party’s loss in 2017 governorship election in the state, and that if he continues, the party may witness same fate. No single individual can deliver a governorship candidate successfully, without the input of other major stakeholders.

“Dictating to Mr. Valentine Ozigbo his running mate and campaign would naturally bring a repeat of what happened in 2017. This we must oppose with everything we have.

“It should be noted that since 2003 till date, this is the first time a PDP candidate emerged by a collective effort of major stakeholders, and not by anointing/selection by a godfather.

“It is important that we protect this candidate with all jealousy against those actions capable of making us lose this election,” the group noted.

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