A political reflection published by Premium Times has brought back memories of the intense rivalry during the 2014 Peoples Democratic Party governorship selection process in Enugu State.
On 8 December 2014, the state chapter experienced two parallel governorship primaries held at different venues. The split exercise produced two separate winners, each claiming to be the authentic candidate of the ruling party in the state.
One of the exercises took place at Filbon Hotel in the coal city. At that gathering, the late Senator Ayogu Eze emerged as the winner after securing a total of 526 votes from participating delegates.
At the same time, the national electoral panel sent by the national leadership of the PDP held its own primary election at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium. That exercise produced Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who gathered 933 votes to claim victory.
The parallel exercises led to extended political and legal battles regarding which candidate was the genuine flagbearer of the PDP ahead of the 2015 general elections. Ugwuanyi ultimately contested the main election on the platform of the party and served two terms as the governor of Enugu State from 2015 to 2023.
Eze, who previously served as a senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, later switched platforms to contest elective office before his passing. The events of that day remain a major reference point in discussions surrounding party discipline, legal disputes, and the conduct of internal party elections across Nigeria.
