Imo PDP Chair Denies Report That Wike’s ‘Car Gift’ Has Pitched Him Against Ihedioha, Sam Daddy

Barr. Charles Ezekwem

Chairman of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Charles Ezekwem has denied report that there is face-off between him, Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Sam Daddy) and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, both Governorship aspirant of the PDP in Imo State over a car donation he allegedly received from Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

The clarification came following an article published on 27 April, 2018 weekend edition of an Owerri-based tabloid, Community Watchdog newspaper.

Reacting to the report, Ezekwem however, tactfully avoided commenting on the cardinal issues in the publication, which is his “penchant for and gluttonous desire to own choice cars and be driven in convoy” which is said to be the reason for the face-off.

The report had claimed that Ezekwem after picking the supposed ‘car donation’ from Governor Wike suddenly declared preference and support for Senator Anyanwu who facilitated the car gifts and had earlier publicly declared his intention to go for a second tenure in the senate.

Ezekwem in a press release, however described the two frontline governorship aspirants of the party as gentlemen and brothers who have so far played according to the rules without stepping on each other’s toes, hence there is virtually no misunderstanding between them.

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A PDP chieftain in Imo who gave his name as Mazi Nze said that it is surprising that Ezekwem who has not been responsive to enquiries aimed at clarifying issues that he often goes cap in hand begging for cars, is now quick to issue a press release that dwelt more on trivialities.

“Surprisingly, Ezekwem, failed to confirm whether or not he was taken to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state to beg for cars, as alleged, if his request was granted and how many cars he later received.

“He also, did not state whether or not he was given a brand new Range Rover Sports (SUV) car by one of the party leaders as reported”, Nze said.

However, one of the strong supporter of Senator Anyanwu, (namewitheld) in a telephone conversation, expressed displeasure over the publication, stressing that there is nothing wrong if the state Chairman is supporting the senator.

According to him, when their camp won in the Ahmodu Sheriff/Makarfi legal tussle at the Supreme Court, Chief Ihedioha abandoned and stopped funding the party.

He said that it was their structure, “The PDP Integrity Group” that came together and started mobilizing funds to run the party in the state, until Sam Daddy came on board and started funding the party.

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“Sam Daddy is a good natured man whom all well meaning PDP members should support and encourage to clinch the governorship ticket”, he added.

It will be recalled that Community Watchdog Newspaper in it’s weekend edition of 27th April, 2018, narrated how Barr Ezekwem was said to have mounted pressure on the leadership of the party in the state to either provide him with choice operational cars or be taken to Governor Wike for the same purpose.

Most of the party’s leaders, according to the report in the state frowned at the idea of always going cap in hand to the Rivers state Governor, as that would portray them as being incapable or lacking the capacity to run the affairs of the party in the state.

But Ezekwem was eventually taken to Governor Wike who provided him with official cars, in addition to the brand new Range Rover Sports (SUV) car earlier donated to him.