Political rivalry between the Andy Uba and Tony Nwoye groups have degenerated into an exchange of blows at the special national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) which held at the Eagles Square, Abuja last Saturday.
The free-for-all between the two groups lasted over one hour over over seating arrangement provided at the venue.
The two groups, however have been claiming to have worn the state primaries ahead of the November gubernatorial elections of the state.
The groups’ loyalists frenziedly fought.
It all started at the venue when Chris and Andy occupied the seats meant for Anambra delegates before Nwoye’ group arrived at the convention venue
Followers of Nwoye who could bear with the embarrassment approached the group and requested the Ubah group vacate the seats already occupied by the Ubah group but Uba’s group hesitation led to a bodily tussle to get Ubah off the seat .
Hence, hot and sharp exchange of blows ensued and more scuffles started among the supporters and that section of the convention ground was thrown into commotion.
However, the riot was calmed one of the aspirants to the office of the National Publicity Secretary (NPS), Olisa Metuh quickly intervenes and appealed to the warring factions to sheathe their swords. Also, security operatives were deployed to the Anambra state section to prevent further clasehes with the two groups.
However, the arrival of President Jonathan into the convention ground pacified the atmosphere as all noticeable ranting ceased.
Meanwhile, during the presentation of the Secretary’s special report by the interim National Secretary of the party, Charles Akitoye, it was mad known that the party’s position remains that the parallel primary conducted by Oguebego was invalid.
This, however, invigorated the jubilant Nwoye supporters while Some of the Uba supporters who could not bear the humiliation, had to leave convention the venue with irritation.
Besides President Jonathan in his speech charges the PDP members as well as Nigerians to have faith in the ruling PDP as the party that is “equipped and more committed to moving the nation forward and ensuring it fulfills its destiny.
“I charge PDP members to remain steadfast in the pursuit of the growth of the party and the nation. We have promising years ahead and we must work in one accord and unity to achieve our full potentials. It is the party of the future, the party destined to take Nigeria to prosperity”, he declared.
“We will not betray the trust of Nigerians,” assured Jonathan and pointed to the special convention as in respect to directives by INEC as an example of the party’s commitment to rule of law.
“We reaffirm our faith in Nigeria, we reaffirm our faith in internal party democracy and we reaffirm our faith in one Nigeria,” he declared.
He commended the security agencies and declared that in the PDP, “we fight against poverty, not the poor, we fight destitution not the destitute; we believe in the tenets of democracy. We are a nation in God’s hands and we should keep it so. No shaking!”
He assured PDP members that the party will continue to appreciate loyalty and faithfulness to the party and “that those who refrained from dragging the party into unnecessary litigation would always be rewarded”.
“We are all winners, as there are no losers in the party”, he further assured.
“This is the party for Nigeria,” added the president who stressed that his administration would forge on without distraction to face the challenges of nation building.
“Many doomsday scenarios are being propagated but the PDP will continue to remain bigger and stronger,” he assured and stressed that, “the visions of our founding fathers shall be sustained. We shall foster development; the PDP is party for patriots.”
It can be recalled that the current rivalry had degenerated when Chris Uba and Ejike Oguebego, a factional chairman of PDP in Anambra state, conducted a parallel party primary election in Anambra State contrary to the election approved by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) which produced Nwoye as the party’s governorship candidate in the State.
Uba was returned as the party’s candidate at the Oguebego conducted party primary.
The PDP NWC in rejecting Uba candidature, declared the Oguebego primary illegal and invited the dramatis personae to face a probe panel. But the invited persons turned down the party’s invitation and they were pronounced suspended.
But a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an exparte order, to reverse the suspension.