2023: Senator Chimaroke doomed as PDP withdraws from Enugu East Senatorial race few days to election

Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial district and a two term former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani is doomed as his political platform, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has withdrawn from the Senatorial race.

Nnaman has been deep necked in anti-party activities that has made him to support the presidential flag bearer of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu openly.

The withdrawal which was disclosed by the party on Tuesday followed his expulsion on 10th February, which the party said, it was following a due process.

The National Secretary of PDP, said, “the NWC of PDP has after a very extensive review and consideration of the affairs of our Party in the country, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitut ion (as amended in 2017) approved the suspension of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State)… with effect from today, Friday, January 20, 2023, over allegations of anti-party activities”.

“Nnamani had been heavily involved with campaigns for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the APC presidential candidate.”

Even after his expulsion, Chimaroke Nnamani has intensified his anti-party activities.

In a statement, the party said: “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 566th meeting today, Friday, February 10, 2023, approved the expulsion…Senator Chimaroke Nnamani – (Enugu State)… for anti-Party activities and other grave offences in violation of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).”

The implication is that a candidate can only contest for elections if he is sponsored by the political party, according to Nigeria’s electoral law.

Despite having filed a case against PDP for suspending him, Nnamani has continued his support for Tinubu, refusing to back down on his anti-party activities.

At the moment, Nnamani has no backing from his party, which, through the expulsion withdrew from the Senate race. He is therefore out of the race. So, for the first time since 1999, the PDP will not be fielding any candidate for the 2023 Senatorial Election.

Reacting to the situation, former National Auditor of the party Barr. Ray Nnaji confirmed that by his expulsion, PDP has no candidate for the Enugu East Senate position.

Hear him; it’s not a matter of Electoral Act; it’s a constitutional matter. The constitution says for one to contest for any electoral position, he must belong to a politcial party.

“There is no room for a private candidate. So, by virtue of that expulsion, Chimaroke is not qualified to contest election.

“He also has no business at the Senate as it stands. The party should move to declare his seat vacant because he has no party as a Senator.”