By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East, have rejected what they called “the imposition of Sen. Sam Anyanwu” as the consensus candidate for the post of the party’s National Secretary in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

The party chieftains include former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, and former governors of Imo state, Chief Achike Udenwa and Hon Emeka Ihedioha.

The party chieftains made their opinions known in a statement by a National Ex-Officio from Imo State, Chief Madu Chinemerem, made available to newsmen in Abuja.

The chieftains said what transpired at the PDP meeting held on Thursday at Enugu, hosted by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, could best be described as a stalemate, adding that Anyanwu was not elected as South East consensus candidate.

They stressed that Gov. Ugwuanyi and Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State merely came to the meeting to announce the selection of Anyanwu, which was objected to by most of the people who attended the meeting.

“The entire Anambra delegation, led by Peter Obi, rejected it. Imo delegates, led by former Govs Emeka Ihedioha and Achike Udenwa, also rejected it.

“The State Chairmen of some of the states also said no. The meeting ended without any agreement.”

The statement added that the meeting was also attended by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Onyema Ugochukwu, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, and many others, noting that most of them didn’t agree with the imposition of Anyanwu for the post of National Secretary.

“I am very conversant with everything that transpired at the meeting and I can say without fear of contradiction that what was reported as South East Zone PDP consensus is a figment of the imagination of the author of the press release.

“It does not in any way reflect the outcome of the Enugu meeting. It is unfortunate.

“Definitely, Anambra and Imo States have better materials for the office if it is zoned to them,” the statement said. (NAN)