Ike Ekweremadu Set To Run For 2023 Enugu Governorship Election Under APC

Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial district, has reportedly concluded plans to dump his political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2023 Enugu governorship tussle.

According to THE NIGERIA DAILY, a source close to the senator said he has renewed his high-level negotiations with the top echelon of the APC from the South East.

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The source also revealed that Ekweremadu’s defection to the APC has nothing to do with disagreement with his own party, but solely his own desire to pursue his governorship ambition come 2023.

The source confirmed that Ekweremadu has activated all his governorship structures and is on the verge of concluding all necessary measures before he finally announces his defection to the APC.

Ekweremadu is actually one of the longest serving senators in the national assembly having represented his senatorial zone for 16 years and still counting.

During his re-election in 2019, he promised his constituents that he would not be seeking another term in the Senate come 2023, it's now clear that he said that due to his Governorship ambition. He was first elected to the senate in 2003.

In 2015 he attempted to run for Governor but the then Governor, Sullivan Chime denied him the ticket insisting it was the turn of another zone. This prompted Ekweremadu to renegotiate his way back to the Senate.

It was gathered that, Enugu PDP has insisted on following the zoning arrangements of the 1999. Enugu East produced Governor between 1999-2007, followed by Enugu West (2007-2015) and now Enugu North (2015-date ) The tenure of Enugu North is expected to elapse by 2023.

However the Senator's close aide revealed that since all zones have benefited from the zoning arrangements, it doesn’t matter which zone produces the next governor.

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Meanwhile, Enugu East which has made it clear that they are leaving no stone unturned in producing the next governor and the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is strongly in support of them.

Ekweremadu is leaving no stone unturned on his interest to occupy the Enugu State Government House and without the support of the incumbent governor, his alternate vehicle to achieve his long time dream is through the APC.