Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party in the South East on Sunday rejected what they called the imposition of Senator Sam Anyanwu as the zonal consensus candidate for the position of National Secretary.

Party leaders who have voiced their rejection of the candidate include former Governors of Anambra State and Imo states, Peter Obi, Chief Achike Udenwa and Emeka Ihedioha, among others.

This was contained in a statement titled, “Press Release,” signed by a National Ex-Officio from Imo State, Chief Madu Chinemerem, on Sunday.

According to the statement, what transpired during the PDP meeting which was held on Thursday, October 14 in Enugu, ended in a stalemate.

It read in part, “What transpired at the PDP meeting held on Thursday 14th October in Enugu hosted by Governor Achike Ugwuanyi, can best be described as a stalemate.

“The meeting certainly didn’t elect Sam Anyanwu to represent the South East as PDP National Secretary.

“Gov Ugwuanyi and Ikpeazu came to the meeting and just announced the selection of Sen Anyanwu.

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“Most of the people who attended vehemently objected to it and refused to accept it. The entire Anambra delegation led by Peter Obi rejected it. Imo delegates led by former Govs Emeka Ihedioha and Achike Udenwa also rejected it.

“The state chairmen of some of the states also said no. The meeting ended without any agreement.

“What was most annoying to South East leaders was that Senator Sam Anyanwu is being imposed on them by a Governor from South South who nominated him.

“He is forcing down his choice on the governors from the South East, just because he serves as his Special Assistant.”