Anambra PDP suspends governorship candidate Jude Ezenwafor over anti-party activities

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Anambra State chapter, has suspended its governorship candidate in the just-concluded election, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, over what it described as gross misconduct and anti-party activities.

Ezenwafor was said to be at the Government House, Awka, on Monday to congratulate Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his victory while the state executive committee of the party was meeting at its secretariat to ratify his suspension.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the State Chairman, Dr. Chidi Chidebe, said Ezenwafor abandoned the party shortly after clinching the ticket, refused to attend meetings or mobilise for campaigns, and later claimed he was attacked and shot in Abuja.

Chidebe, who read out a communique of the State Executive Committee on the outcome of the election, accused Ezenwafor of “selling out” and failing to call for any form of support during the campaign period.

The communique stated: “Throughout the campaign period, the candidate exhibited attitudes and tendencies that were not only uncooperative but outrightly destructive to the collective interest of the party.

“It is on record that the governorship candidate, Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, secured only one vote in his own ward, Nnobi Ward 3, Idemili South Local Government Area, a ward with twelve polling units. This abysmal performance represents the worst result for PDP in any ward across the state and clearly exposes his lack of character, credibility and commitment to both the party and the election.”

Following a review of his activities, the committee announced a one-month suspension and recommended further disciplinary actions.

The communique further resolved: “Mr. Jude Ezenwafor is hereby suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a period of one month with immediate effect. He is to be referred to the State Party Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and appropriate recommendations.

“That the National Working Committee (NWC) be formally notified and strongly advised not to grant Mr. Ezenwafor or his collaborators any further access or recognition at the National Secretariat, as their activities are clearly aimed at destabilizing the party.”

The party also called on the FCT Police Command to investigate Ezenwafor’s claim that he was shot, saying there was no hospital or security report to support his allegation.

The Anambra PDP lamented that aside from the single vote recorded by the candidate in his ward, all other votes scored by the party were mobilised by members, describing the election as the worst in its history.