By Ogochukwu Isioma
Former Imo State Governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, has withdrawn from the governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
His withdrawal comes barely hours after the temporary change of leadership at the PDP national level which saw Senator Iyorchia Ayu stepping aside as the party’s national chairman.
It also comes days after the ex-governor was screened and cleared by the PDP to contest the party’s primary ahead of the November 11 guber poll, and amid clamour for a direct primary by stakeholders.
In a letter dated March 27, 2023, addressed to the PDP national chairman, 72 hours after his 58th birthday, Ihedioha cited “personal sacrifice” for a “consensus candidate” as sought by the PDP in Imo state as reason for his decision.
“This decision was not taken lightly”, he said, adding, “my commitment to the service of our people has never been in doubt. And I am sure many of those who have, on their own, already started mobilizing for me in Imo State will be disappointed. I sincerely seek their understanding and that of associates, admirers and particularly the electorates who have over the years aligned themselves and identified with my political aspirations.”
Ihedioha expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunity to have served the various constituencies both as a legislator and governor, noting, ”I am also proud of the positive impact I made, particularly in the seven months as the Governor of Imo State.”
metrowatchxtra.com reports that the Supreme Court in a controversial ruling in January 2020 sacked Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State after barely seven months in office.
The seven-man panel led by Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad unanimously declared Hope Uzodimma of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 19, 2019 governorship election in the state.
Uzodimma had contended that he scored the highest number of votes in the election but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned Ihedioha as the governor of the state.
