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Rivers Governor Wike, right, greets a traditional during his visit to Anambra State
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The dollar largesse given to some members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, apparently to influence their support for him in his 2023 Presidential bid has triggered an open fight.
The free-for- all- fight happened in Awka, the Anambra State capital, shortly after Governor Wike had departed with his entourage from the scene.
He had visited the State to seek the support of the delegates ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for the 28th and 29th of May, where the party’s Presidential candidate is expected to be nominated for the 2023 general elections.
An eyewitness told our correspondent, “The dollar sharing was going smoothly as each of the over 200 party members in the hall was being given $100 each; while some officials of the party were given about $200 and above.
“However, a fracas ensued when a man who had come and collected a lion’s share as a Ward Chairman under a particular local government area was caught and labelled an impostor by some of the party caucus who claimed they knew the authentic Chairman of the said ward.
“They alleged that the man was an impersonator. The alleged impostor, on his own, insisted he was the authentic Chairman and the original bearer of the name. As he was saying these, he folded the dollar notes given to him, inserted them deep into his pocket and set out to go. They held and dragged him back ferociously.
“The interrogations, arguments and harassments that followed heightened the brouhaha, as the man was ordered to return the dollars, which he vehemently refuses to do.
“The fracas unexpectedly turned into a melodrama when the party caucus ordered a group of boys, who were also waiting for their own dollars, to hold and forcefully snatch the dollars from the self-acclaimed ward Chairman.
“The alleged impostor was immediately surrounded by the boys and some party caucus, who grabbed his trousers, shirt, wristwatch, and two legs, in an attempt to overpower him, while they began to drag the dollars with him, as he himself also refused to let go of the dollars, and stood firm to withstand, challenge them and sustain the affray.
“It took the intervention of the police, bouncers and some other security agencies to settle the affray, retrieved the dollars from the ‘Ward Chairman’, who was eventually walked out of hall and the premises, with his rumpled Ankara trousers and jumper, while his chain watch was shattered and torn beyond repair. And, after that, the caucus continued sharing their dollars.”
While addressing the party members earlier, Governor Wike, who first paid a courtesy call to the Obi Of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, to notify him of his presidential ambition, said he remained the most electable aspirant that could defeat and unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He recalled that the PDP had been in opposition since 2015, stating that winning the 2023 general election was crucial to the survival of the party.
He said, “I didn’t send anybody to you, because I have respect for you. We have been in opposition since 2015 and if we don’t win this election in 2023, we can as well forget PDP. And so, everything must be done to win this election. No sentiment should be brought in; and of all the aspirants, whether the person is from Anambra, Sokoto, Imo, look at all of us, who can withstand APC in this election? It is me.
“I have challenged APC before. I have defeated them several times with the government in power. You know what happened in Rivers State. All I am asking the delegates is, if you really want PDP to win this election in 2023, just give me that ticket; go home and sleep with your eyes close. I will win the election.”
