Political Realignment Underway In Enugu As PDP Woos Chijioke Edeoga


By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu

A major realignment of political forces appears to be in the offing in Enugu State, South-East Nigeria.

This is because there are strong indications that the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Chijioke Edeoga, may return to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Hon. Edeoga himself has confirmed being wooed by his former allies, but added that he, being a product of public goodwill, cannot alone take the decision to return.

The state chapter of PDP and Hon. Edeoga have reopened talks that could pave the way for the return of the erstwhile party member to the PDP fold.

It is not presently known to what extent this emerging scenario may mirror future happenings at the national level for both the PDP and LP as rumours persist,though denied, of a possible working relationship in 2027 between PDP and LP presidential candidates in the 2023 poll, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi respectively, as Edeoga is a known close ally of Obi.

Edeoga, a former PDP member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, had also served as Special Adviser (Legal) to former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in the 6th Senate as well as Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters to former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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He was a two-term Commissioner in the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi between 2015 and 2022, all on the platform of PDP, before he pulled out of the party after the party’s governorship primary to run on the platform of LP.

However, addressing reporters at a joint press briefing after a closed-door meeting with Edeoga at the former LP flag bearer’s Enugu residence, Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of PDP, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, told newsmen that the meeting was in line with his agenda to unite the party and bring back all former party members.

Dr Chukwunweike said: “PDP used to be the only party in Enugu State. But in the last election, something happened that things didn’t go the way it used to go.

“So, when I came on board, I discussed with the governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, that we must do everything possible to get all our people back in the fold. We must do everything possible to see that Enugu State becomes 100 per cent PDP the way it used to be. And we took the decision to consult with some of our very key people, who have been PDP all along.

“Chijioke Edeoga is one of them. When we discussed, he told me in plain language that he owes a lot to PDP and he had become a lot through the PDP. He has been in the State Executive Council of Enugu State under PDP and a lot more.

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“We have had a lot of discussions before now and today I came to his house with the members of my executive – the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, and Publicity Secretary, and he is okay and satisfied with our visit.

“I believe, from what he told us, that we are going to have him back to the party. The only thing is that being somebody who is not standing alone, who has people who are his team members, it is only right that he should also consult before coming to give us the expected verdict so that we will all go into the next election united as one family that we have always been.

“We know and we are confident that PDP under Dr. Peter Mbah will eventually become what it used to be as the only party in Enugu State.

“Importantly, he has asked us to tell the governor that he has seen all his good works, that even the blind man can see the good roads.

“So, our visit has been very successful and when next we will call you, it will be for him to tell you what I call the expected response.”

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Also speaking, Edeoga agreed with the PDP Chairman said, adding that he would consult his supporters first.

Edeoga said: “Yes, the leadership of PDP in Enugu State came to see me, demanding I should come back to the PDP and I told them I will consult widely because I am a product of several men and women of goodwill. I have enormous respect for the team and the Chairman, but it is not in the nature of Igbo people to hear such a weighty thing and respond immediately.

“I am going to take it home and I will, as early as possible, get back to the Chairman and my position will be known. But it has been a wonderful meeting of brothers and former allies.”

After electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had declared Mbah winner of the March 18, 2923 Enugu gubernatorial election, Edeoga, who believed he actually won the poll, took his grievance before the Elections Petition Tribunal, and from there on to the Appeal Court, after the tribunal ruled against him, and finally he approached the Supreme Court for possible redress.

However, the apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel of justices on Friday, December 22, 2023, dismissed Edeoga’s appeal and upheld the verdicts of both lower courts that Mbah was validly elected.


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