But Chris Uba was alleged to have sworn that the congress would not hold, after making failed moves to hijack the congress and supplant his cronies all across the available positions in the Exco. These moves, sources affirmed, included nocturnal visits to the oil-rich southern states to prostrate for one very powerful governor and other party stakeholders that he be given the state structure of the party.
Sounds ridiculous but true that one who boasted in a celebrated visual interview that went viral that he caused his party’s failure in a very important election held just two weeks earlier would be bold again to demand control of the state structure of same party? Did he think he was talking to fools? What guarantee would he give that he wouldn’t sell out his party in the next election as evidently, that’s his only political antecedent?
Even his brother, Senator Andy Uba, temporarily in APC, worked against letting Eselu have his way, same source informed.
So when it became clear he had no delegates to manipulate the process with, he went to what he was noted for – cause chaos! As many as over 50 macho men, known in local parlance as ndi akpuobi, invaded the venue of the exercise and did everything to thwart the exercise taking place.
But for once, I saw people willing to defend our democracy. The delegates, numbering nearly 2000 (five delegates per ward nominated from each of the 326 wards in the state), refused to be cowed nor intimidated. Some took some beatings from the guerilla-like thugs but stood their ground. Expectedly, a law enforcement agency, the Police Force arrived the scene with an anti-riot team. It took some time, some hours but eventually normalcy was restored and the delegates, everyone of them, got back to the queue, got duly accredited and performed the duty he/she came for.
They elected Hon. Ndubisi Nwobu (Obuka Awka) as the chairman of Anambra State chapter of the PDP, as well as Barr. Okoli-Akrika (Nzeanaeche) as the Secretary. Other elected executives are Barr. Clems Ezika as the State Legal Adviser, Chief Tony Offia as the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Emma Ifeachor as the State Organising Secretary. Mrs. Edith Nwokedi and Prince Idu Okosi were also elected as the State Woman Leader and State Youth Leader respectively. The state chapter of the party couldn’t be in safer and saner hands.
Finally the people had their way. The focused delegates refused Chris Eselu Uba, refused his money, resisted his thugs and had their wish.