The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has suspended Mr. Jude Ezenwafor, its governorship candidate in the just-concluded election, over alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct.
Ezenwafor’s suspension came even as he was spotted at the Light House, Awka, congratulating the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, on his re-election, while the PDP State Executive Committee met at its Secretariat to ratify his suspension.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the state chairman of the party, Dr. Chidi Chidebe, said the candidate’s conduct before, during, and after the election was “embarrassing and unacceptable.”
Chidebe recalled that Ezenwafor, immediately after picking the party’s ticket, “disappeared from the campaign scene, refused to attend meetings or rallies, and later claimed to have been attacked and shot in Abuja.”
Reading from the communiqué issued after the meeting, the PDP chairman said, “yhroughout the campaign period, the candidate exhibited attitudes and tendencies that were not only uncooperative but outrightly destructive to the collective interest of the party.”
He noted that Ezenwafor’s performance at the polls was “abysmal,” revealing that he secured only one vote in his own ward, Nnobi Ward 3 in Idemili South Local Government Area, out of twelve polling units.
“This represents the worst result for PDP in any ward across the state and clearly exposes his lack of character, credibility, and commitment to both the party and the election,” the communiqué stated.
Consequently, the State Executive Committee resolved to suspend Ezenwafor for one month and referred him to the State Party Disciplinary Committee for further investigation and recommendation.
“Mr. Jude Ezenwafor is hereby suspended from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a period of one month with immediate effect,” the communiqué added.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) is hereby notified and strongly advised not to grant him or his collaborators any further access or recognition at the National Secretariat.”
The PDP also called on the FCT Police Command to investigate Ezenwafor’s claim that he was shot, noting that there was no medical or security report to substantiate the allegation.
The party lamented the poor outing in the governorship election, describing it as the worst in its history, and vowed to reposition its structure ahead of future elections.
