5:T720,

Like a leopard that doesn’t change its spots, the Anambra State branch of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) failed to shed its crisis-ridden image its ward congress was marred by confusion. The scene at the Marble Arch Hotel in the state capital, Awka, was a riotous one on Saturday night as the various factions tried to ensure that the delegates elected by them earlier in the day were accepted by the party.

Ahead of the congress, the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja had written to Anambra INEC, saying it had recognised the Mr. Ejike Oguebego-led faction over that of Prince Ken Emeakayi.

Following the letter, INEC staff embarked on the monitoring of the congress conducted by the Oguebego faction in the 326 wards of the state. Prince Emeakayi however questioned the decision of INEC and moved against it. Before the congress, security operatives had sealed the state headquarters of the PDP from which Emeakayi operated.

A chieftain of PDP and former deputy senate president, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu, who was sent to supervise the election by PDP headquarters, managed to convene a meeting of Anambra PDP stakeholders at Finotel Hotel, Awka, in a bid to resolve the crisis. Sources said the Mantu-led committee was working hard to accommodate all the interest groups in the party as allowing one faction to produce all the 978 ward delegates might turn out to be the party’s undoing.

However, the governorship candidate of PDP in last year’s election in the state, Comrade Tony Nwoye, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the ward congress, describing it as free and fair. He urged PDP members in the state to remain peaceful even in the face of any provocation.

•Photo shows Mantu.

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