Abia State PDP carefully targets and disqualifies Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe from the 2023 governorship contest.

The party executed this coup yesterday 26 March, simply by banning aspirants from Abaribe’s Abia South District from contesting.

Abia PDP said in a statement that the position is open only to aspirants from Abia Central and Abia North only.

Abaribe is from Abia South District.

The party announced its decision last night to newsmen in a statement endorsed by party chair, Dr Allwell Asifo Okere.

It is unusual in a zoning arrangement to consider two districts under the party’s so-called zoning arrangement.

However, a party insider told Enugu Metro that Abia Central will field the candidate with a deputy from Abia North.

Dr Okere said in the statement that the decision is ratified by both PDP’s State Working and State Executive Committees. The two bodies are the highest decision making organs of the party.

Observers noted that the intrigues that led to the decision became clear “when Ndi Ngwa collectively told Abaribe that they would not support him.”

Gov Okezie Ikpeazu is the unseen hand behind the orchestrated and targeted disqualification, many believe.

Abaribe, who is Senate Minority leader, formally decalred his intention to run in December 2021.

What options for Abaribe?

Senator Abaribe remains shut out of consideration by the PDP as a result of this decision.

Abia professionals yesterday rued the decision which would have positioned the state to benefit from the experience of the respected senator.

“He cannot get the PDP ticket unless by force majeure,” one of them said this morning.

“This is simply a coup d’etat,” another professional said.

“PDP is the dominant party in Abia State. It may also be late for him to try APGA as a vehicle, even if IPOB declares open support for him.”

Enugu Metro however learnt that the APGA route remains open to him. Whether he will take it will become apparent in the coming days.

Citizens also wondered why PDP Abia allowed Abaribe to purchase nomination forms which cost N21million before announcing the decision.

Abia PDP targets and disqualifies Senator Abaribe from 2023 governorship

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