Emeka lhedioha withdraws from Imo PDP governorship primaries

A former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has withdrawn from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) off-cycle governorship primaries election in 2023

In January 2020, the Supreme Court sacked Mr Ihedioha as the governor of Imo State after barely seven months in office.

The former governor had declared interest to re-contest the elections ahead of the November 11 gubernatorial elections.

But in a letter dated March 27, Mr Ihedioha informed the PDP leadership of his interest to participate in the party’s governorship primaries as a ‘personal sacrifice’

According to the letter, the former speaker says he aligns himself with the request made by the state chapter to the National Working Committee (NWC) for a ‘consensus candidate’

“As I turned 58 years old last Friday, March 24, I had cause to reflect on so many things, including the state of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“Having been a member since formation in 1998, I align myself with the request made by our state chapter to the National Working Committee (NWC) for a consensus choice of 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.

“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 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.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had fixed the governorship elections in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa States for 11 November.

Imo state is among the eight states in the country where the commission conducts off-cycle governorship elections. The others are Bayelsa, Kogi,  Anambra, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Edo.