Enugu PDP Lobbying For Ugwuanyi’s Successor Heats Up 

Ugwuanyi recently declared that he will rely on “divine inspiration” to choose his successor from among the many contenders.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Significant signs that vigorous lobbying has begun over who would be the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Enugu State.

Following Saturday’s ward delegates’ poll, which generated the three delegates for the party primary, contenders have enlisted the help of their contacts and connections both inside and outside the government to pressure the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, to support their bids.

According to sources, the president, senior politicians, serving and past PDP governors, titans of business, serving and previous security chiefs, and former heads of state were all enlisted in the fight to secure the governor’s permission.

Some of the hopefuls have reportedly gone so far as to invest in the governor’s family, visiting their homes at strange hours with presents to get them to “speak to their brother in their favor.”

“They go as far as waiting for one of his relatives at the premises of a Catholic Church, where she normally attends morning masses to inform her about their aspirations and shower her with gifts to induce her to make her brother endorse them,” the source disclosed

He said that the candidates, who include those running for other state elected offices, resorted to waiting in the church when a relative “extremely close to the governor” refused to welcome guests on a political mission in her home any longer.

Approximately 20 people, mostly from the Enugu East Senatorial Zone, obtained candidacy and expression of interest papers to vie for the state’s lone gubernatorial seat. Only 15 people turned up for the screening exercise last Thursday, when the party examined individuals interested in the post.

Ugwuanyi recently declared that he will rely on “divine inspiration” to choose his successor from among the many contenders, sources have stated that rising pressure and mouth-watering offers are being put on him on a daily basis from various donors to consider their candidates.