Emeka ihedioha was the 6th governor that had governed Imo State before he was removed from office by the order of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which disclosed that the APC governorship candidate (Hope Uzodinma) was the true winner of the 2019 Imo State governorship election.

Emeka Ihedioha, the former executive governor of Imo State, and a well-to-do businessman was actively engaged in politics since 1992 when he was by appointment made press officer to the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Iyorchia Ayu.
In his tenure as the governor of Imo State, he was in office from 29 May 2019 – 15 Jan, 2020, which is roughly 7months of active service.
In the list of the governors that had been before him, he was in active service for quite a very short period.
Presently, he has issued a letter of retreat from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary. The letter reviews that he has declined his interest in running for the governorship primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This information was written to the national chairman of the party and made public on the 28th of March, 2023.
The sudden loss of interest had gotten the curiosity of the press and his supporters, and Nigerians are asking questions.
Emeka Ihedioha, before now have chosen to run for the governorship primaries under PDP and had already been screened by the party for the forthcoming primary election on November 11, 2023, before the sudden dismissal of interest.

The sudden decision, to step out of the race has brought disappointment to many of his supporters who have gone beyond mobilising, and campaigning in the streets of Imo State, to twitting and Writing about him in the online space.
You might be among the curious people wondering, what had happened? how come the sudden decision?
Well, according to Emeka Ihedioha, he said,
“As I turned 58 years last Friday, March 24, I had cause to reflect on so many things, including the state of the Peoples Democratic Party.

“Having been a member since its formation in 1998, I align myself with the request made by our state chapter to the National Working Committee for a consensus choice of the candidate regarding the 2023 governorship primaries.
“In the interest of harmony and unity of the party, I have elected to make the personal sacrifice of withdrawing from further participation in the processes leading to the emergence of the gubernatorial candidate.

And to his supporters, and disappointed well-wishers he wrote;
“This decision was not taken lightly. 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 mobilising 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.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served my various constituencies both as a legislator and governor. I am also proud of the positive impact I made, particularly in the seven months I served as the Governor of Imo State.”

After hearing his words, one might think Ihedioha did not stand a chance but had to accept self-defeat or maybe has developed apathy towards politics. Before anyone makes any claims, to the reasons why Ihedioha stepped out of the race.
Inside news coming from the People’s Democratic Party group shows in a statement where Rufus Omeire, chairman of the group, proved that Ihedioha choose to back out of the race because the process was not “authentic”.
Samuel Anyanwu, the PDP national secretary, who is contesting in the race with other participants, has refused to resign his position, he said.

Samuel Anyanwu is an indigene of Imo State, who is entitled to voting and being voted for as the Constitution says. But Samuel Anyanwu is the People’s Democratic Party National Secretary.
It is in his jurisdiction to invigilate the governorship primary election, but as a contestant in the race, there’s every probability that he might rule the odds to his favour, with the privileges the office provides.
Omeire added it is “morally wrong” for Anyanwu to supervise the governorship primary which he is a contender.

“In the first place, Ihedioha, who had been a dedicated member of PDP since 1999, was unfairly and unjustly treated by the leadership of the party,” the statement reads.
“The national secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, had indicated an interest in vying for the governorship primary as he is entitled to as an indigene of Imo state. However, as a sitting national secretary, it is only proper that he should not supervise the primary for which he is a contestant.
“It is shocking that as the national secretary, Anyanwu, was himself screened as an aspirant and later on signed the clearance certificate of the successful aspirants including himself.

“Ihedioha, we understand, complained to political leaders about this grave violation of this elementary principle of natural justice that a man should not be a judge in his cause to no avail.

“Indeed, allowing senator Anyanwu to supervise his election primary cannot stand legal or moral scrutiny by any fair-minded person.”
The group said the party’s constitution entails that a serving national officer seeking an elective position resign.

He said that the party, under the leadership administration of Iyorchia Ayu “refused” to carry out the law, thereby “conferring undue advantage” on Anyanwu.

“Senator Anyanwu has a moral and legal duty to resign his office as national secretary to avoid a severe conflict of interest. This is the only way to assure a level playing field for all contestants,” he said.
“We know that Ihedioha is not desperate to serve, but Imo people deserve all her best hands to be involved in the process.

“The national chairman turned a blind ear to all protestations for a fair process and Ihedioha decided not to dignify the skewed process with his participation.”

Conclusion
Here’s the conclusion of the matter, Emeka Ihedioha will not stand to contest for the forthcoming governorship primary election of the People’s Democratic Party in Imo State on November 11, 2023.

In an election where Emeka Ihedioha is out of the cards to be thrown, who will be the PDP gubernatorial candidate?

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