Chimaroke Nnamani, a senator from Enugu East Senatorial District, referred to the absence of five PDP Governors during the party's presidential campaign's flag-off in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, as demoralising.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and his four other disgruntled colleagues should not be isolated or ignored, he advised the party's leadership, as doing so would be detrimental to the PDP's overall interests in the general elections in 2023.
At the launch of the Atiku Abubakar/Ifeanyi Okowa presidential campaigns in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, on Monday, Wike and four of his colleagues—Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia—as well as their supporters were notably absent.
Nnamani; a two-time former Governor of Enugu state (1999- 2007) gave the words of caution in a statement he signed in Abuja, on Tuesday.
He noted that it would be “sheer arrogance“ on the part of the party leadership to ignore a critical group of five sitting Governors.
The PDP stalwart said, “ Today, I go on record in total condemnation of the treatment of the five governors mostly from the southern states within the PDP. The Governors are our leaders and their humiliation rubs off on all of us”.
He recalled that state Governors were not treated with ignominy during his days.
He further cautioned the party against erecting parallel structures in the five affected states saying “politics is local and the folks from these affected states parading with the PDP leadership will not deliver their polling booths without the Governors.
“Without the involvement of the Governors that are our leaders, these mere cheerleaders and feel-good political operatives cannot deliver.“
He further said, “ They can drag themselves from their home states to Abuja. Some are Abuja permanent residents. They dress the meetings and Colour the rallies, but that is what it is, political colour dressing “.