By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Old political rivalries in Abia State which divided supporters of the former governor of the state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu from the mainstream of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP have resurfaced breaking the harmony recently forged by Governor Theodore Orji.

However, unlike the past when Dr. Kalu was at the head of one faction, the present division in the ruling party is said to be between those who left the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA formed by the former governor and those they met in the PDP four years ago.

Orji

The former PPA members ,it was learned are said to be championing the interest of one of the gubernatorial aspirants who held a top job in one of the state agencies until a few days ago.

Governor Orji had in 2010 left the PPA for the All Progressives Grand Alliance before finally returning home to the PDP.

In the run up to finding a successor for the outgoing governor, it was learned that those close to the governor who moved with him to the PDP in 2010 are being accused of trying to fence out those they met in the PDP in selection of party candidates for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

At the heart of the move, it was learned is the allegation by some original PDP members of a plot to ensure that all original members of the PDP presently in the House of Assembly are denied a return tickets in a move to allow an unfettered grip by the former PPA on the new regime in the executive and legislative branches of government.

“There are serious fears of an imminent implosion in the party unless the national leadership of PDP intervenes quickly. Top officers complain that members are now divided down the line as they have relapsed into the cleavage of the old members of the party and those from the Progressive Peoples

Orji Uzor Kalu

Alliance, PPA,” a source familiar with the development informed newsmen yesterday.

Governor Orji had recently constituted a congress and primary election committee, chaired by the deputy chief of staff, Mr Charles Ogbonna who is also said to have kindred relationship with the governor.

“Chief Umeh has always fought for Igbo man, he is so passionate about the Igbo man, if the former governor had played the role the APGA National Chairman is playing for the course of the Igbo man with his position as governor then, he would have been an undisputed hero that would have stepped into the shoes of Late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu” he said.