By Francis Igata

ENUGU— CRISIS rocking the Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, deepened over the appointment of the Managing Director, Enugu Housing Corporation, Mr. Ikeje Asogwa, as the party Chairman, following the sudden resignation of the former chairman, Engr. Vita Abba.

While a meeting summoned by the party secretary Mr. Steve Oruruo, described as constitutional, the process that led to the appointment of Mr. Asogwa, as chairman, Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr. David Aja, rejected the appointment, insisting that the “party’s constitution in section 47(1) stipulates that he assume the mantle of leadership in acting capacity pending the conduct of state congress.”

The SEC also ratified the endorsement of Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as the consensus candidate of the party for the 2015 gubernatorial elections in the state.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Okey Eze, told Vanguard that “the decision to appoint Ikeje followed the constitutional provisions.  The correct party constitution as adopted by NEC in article 47(6) says where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from, pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.

“Abba wrote a letter of resignation which was addressed to SEC and was read at the floor of the meeting. The letter was dated October 20 indicating that he has resigned. SEC acted on behalf of the state congress which is the highest decision making organ of the party. When state congress is conducted, election will be conducted and a substantive officer or officers will be elected.”

Reacting, State Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Ben Nwoye, faulted the process that led to Ikeje’s appointment, saying, “it is an indication of the governor’s continuation to go against party constitution. There is a succession plan for every party, be it PDP or APC.”