Metuh Sabotaged PDP In Anambra Guber Polls, Says Nwoye

The November 16 inconclusive governorship election in Anambra State has pitched the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) with the campaign organization of its candidate for the polls, the Tony Nwoye Campaign Organisation (TNCO).

In a statement yesterday, the TNCO described statements by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh as arrant nonsense and an act of betrayal.

The statement was jointly signed by Ikeagwuonwu Chinedu, Mazi Okwu Okwu, Hon Ikechukwu Onyia and Mazi Orjika Chidi.

While Nwoye had joined the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Chris Ngige and Labour Party (LP), Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah to call for the total cancellation of the Nov. 16 elections in the state which they described as a sham and disgrace to democracy, the PDP commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies for providing the enabling environment for the conduct of what it termed a peaceful, free and fair election.

The Chairman of the state chapter of PDP, Mr. Ken Emeakayi on Wednesday in Awka also described the poll as credible.

Emeakayi had told a news conference that   the PDP would participate in the supplementary election, which its candidate had vowed not to take part in.

Emeakayi had told the journalists that the decision to commend and participate in the supplementary election was taken at an emergency meeting of the state working committee of the party.

He said, “We state categorically and unequivocally that the PDP will participate in the supplementary election in the contentious areas of the state as announced by INEC and we charge our members to continue to remain calm and focused”.

Emeakayi further accused the APC of trying to cause disaffection within the PDP by using some members to make statements that were inimical to the position of the PDP on the election.

But a piqued Nwoye expressed surprise “That certain highly placed officers of the party” could go to the press to make comments about the election without first consulting him.

The statement by TNCO reads in part, “It is a common knowledge that the Anambra State governorship election that held across the state on   November 16, 2013, was marred by irregularities.

“There has been widespread condemnation of the exercise by members of the civil society groups, Anambrarians, the Conference of Nigerian Political parties and election observers and monitors.

“Even Prof. Jega went on air to apologise to Anambrarians on the poor conduct of the election.

“In spite of these flaws and more witnessed during the exercise,   Metuh went on air to announce that the election was free and fair

“In a show of shame, Metuh made his statement giving credibility to an election in which his candidate and all his family members, including some of his cousins were disenfranchised and prevented from voting.”

It wondered why the PDP spokesperson did not contact Nwoye before making his “shameful statement.”

The organisation also accused him of sabotaging the PDP during the election saying, “Mr Olisa Metuh, we put it to you that you sabotaged PDP on the 16th of November, 2013 during the election, directing your family members to vote for APGA.

“That explains why PDP could not win in your ward at Otolo Nnewi.

“It is a shame that while other political parties like the APC, the Labour Party, the CNPP and others were calling for a total cancellation of the election, you were busy singing a different song. Who are you really working for? Which party do you actually belong to, PDP or APGA?” the campaign organization queried.