Ahead of the Abia State Local Government Area Election in November 2024,the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Arochukwu Local Government Area,has reacted over the potential manipulation of name in the Arochukwu Local Government Chairmanship candidate.
In a Press Release signed by Hon Okemini Sunday for the party in Arochukwu LGA, said the attention of the leadership was drawn to a blasphemous publication emanating from one Charles Samuel Okeke, of a faceless group known as Concerned Citizens Of PDP Arochukwu Local Government Area Chapter, where he tried to discredit the authentic candidate of the PDP in Arochukwu for the forthcoming Local Government election.
According to the Release,there’s no such registered clandestine group both at the State and in Arochukwu hierarchies of the party respectively.
Okemini Sunday disclosed that the two persons who indicated interest in the Arochukwu chairmanship candidature for the forthcoming 2024 Abia State LGA election,as being organized by the ABSIEC, have been screened and cleared by the screening committee set up by the Party in the state.
“Hon Chinedu Ijeoma and Sam Charles Okeke respectively expressed their interest to compete under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
“The two aspirants on the 8th October 2024, presented themselves for screening before the party screening committee at the PDP state Party headquarters in Umuahia and were required to present all the relevant documents consistent with party rules to confirm their eligibility to fly the party flag. While Hon Chinedu Ijeoma complied with all the requirements as demanded consistent with party guidelines, and was duly cleared, Charles Samuel Okeke was found deficient and could not meet up with party guidelines and was subsequently not qualified to run for the office”.
The Release added that Charles Samuel Okeke failed to produce the following documents consistent with the PDP laid down party guidelines for the screening of aspirants for the LGCC election,such as; proof of payment for his tax clearance,evidence of stamped sworn affidavit from the court attached to his Expression Of Interest Form,proof of membership, party cards both old and the new among other findings.
“Charles Samuel Okeke promised to present them and never complied by presenting the documents to the Screening Committee up to the time of winding down the exercise”.
Meanwhile, Hon Chinedu Ijeoma satisfied all the party guidelines and requirements,he was cleared and stood for the party primary unopposed and both certificate of clearance and return was presented to him, as the PDP flag bearer/candidate for the upcoming Arochukwu LGA election.
“Hence, there was no under dealing by the Administrative Secretary of PDP in Abia State and Charles Samuel Okeke should have himself to blame and he’s challenged to substantiate the veracity of his statement.
“The party and all her leadership structure in the Arochukwu LGA is in firm support of the party decisions and transparent outcomes of the party process that led to the lawful emergence of Hon Chinedu Ijeoma, as the Party flag bearer in the forthcoming LGA council elections.
“The statement from the faceless group and her sponsor should not be taken seriously and be disregarded by all well meaning party stakeholders”,it concluded.
