The tussle for the Enugu West Senatorial ticket took a dramatic turn, weekend, when loyalists of Governor Sullivan Chime abandoned a scheduled constituency meeting at the unexpected arrival of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the incumbent senator representing the zone.
The meeting in Agwu, presided over by the Enugu West Zonal Chairman of the party, Mr. Obi Madueke, started with an opening prayer when they sighted Senator Ekweremadu’s convoy.
A text message had been sent round to party stakeholders for the scheduled meeting, but few of the loyalists of the governor had not expected Ekweremadu to honour the invitation given the frosty relationship between the senator and the governor.
Eyewitness accounts said some tough-talking supporters of the governor aiming to replace Senator Ekweremadu, including some of the local government chairmen from the zone, started shouting “Adjourn! Adjourn! Adjourn” and left hurriedly, leaving Ekweremadu and his supporters to take the centre stage at the meeting, with Ward Councilors, Local Government and Ward executives.
However, some of those who left, including a prominent member of the state executive committee, came back when they saw that Senator Ekweremadu and his men meant no harm.
Sources at the meeting, who pleaded anonymity, said the discomfort among Chime’s supporters must have been informed by their utterances and posture against the senator.
“I think it is sheer cowardice. Some of the people have been talking tough on Enugu West senatorial contest, even when they know that the stand of the people is that Ekweremadu should continue. So, I guess they sensed trouble following Ekweremadu’s presence,” a source said.
Speaking at the meeting, Senator Ekweremadu urged the PDP to work for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan whose administration had favoured the people of Enugu West more than any other before it.
The meeting in Agwu, presided over by the Enugu West Zonal Chairman of the party, Mr. Obi Madueke, started with an opening prayer when they sighted Senator Ekweremadu’s convoy.
A text message had been sent round to party stakeholders for the scheduled meeting, but few of the loyalists of the governor had not expected Ekweremadu to honour the invitation given the frosty relationship between the senator and the governor.
Eyewitness accounts said some tough-talking supporters of the governor aiming to replace Senator Ekweremadu, including some of the local government chairmen from the zone, started shouting “Adjourn! Adjourn! Adjourn” and left hurriedly, leaving Ekweremadu and his supporters to take the centre stage at the meeting, with Ward Councilors, Local Government and Ward executives.
However, some of those who left, including a prominent member of the state executive committee, came back when they saw that Senator Ekweremadu and his men meant no harm.
Sources at the meeting, who pleaded anonymity, said the discomfort among Chime’s supporters must have been informed by their utterances and posture against the senator.
“I think it is sheer cowardice. Some of the people have been talking tough on Enugu West senatorial contest, even when they know that the stand of the people is that Ekweremadu should continue. So, I guess they sensed trouble following Ekweremadu’s presence,” a source said.
Speaking at the meeting, Senator Ekweremadu urged the PDP to work for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan whose administration had favoured the people of Enugu West more than any other before it.
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