The immediate past governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, says the exit of some of his former aides to other political parties remains their personal choice, and that he has no plans to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but will rather stay with others to rebuild it.
Ikpeazu stated this Thursday during the caucus meeting of the party held at the new party secretariat in Umuahia. He called for unity of purpose among members of the party in the state to ensure that the party quickly returns to winning ways, stating that “the exit of some of my former aides to other political parties remains their personal choice”.
According to him, “We must all take individual responsibility for our performance in the 2023 elections even as our party is going through self-cleansing at the moment. I will remain in PDP and will never be found wanting in my responsibilities to our party and its rebuilding process.
“Those who want to leave will leave, no matter what you do, but loyalty is also about the realization that at some point in time, this party has been good to you. It is now time for sacrifice, especially from those who previously benefitted from our party in one way or another as we must all join hands to reposition it”.
Earlier in his address, the state PDP Chairman, Rt Hon Asiforo Okere, thanked members who have remained steadfast in supporting the party, especially after the 2023 elections, and reminded members that the party still maintains a majority at the state House of Assembly even when the election was conducted same day with Governorship Election which the party lost.
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Rt. Hon. Okere announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has extended the tenures of elected ward executives by 3 months in an acting capacity and the constitution of 3 committees to handle Peace and Reconciliation, Way Forward, and Finance.
Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia Central, Col. Austin Akobundu, stated that while people were free to leave and join another political party, “the PDP in Abia State is a movement that nobody can kill”.
In his reaction, an Abia elder statesman and member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu sued for unity, stating that the time for a blame game was over as there were no factions in the party, noting that leaders and members of the party have learned from the 2023 experience and must be ready to bounce back.
“It is now time to reposition the party and ensure that young members find comfort and space to contribute to the party and leadership in the state”, he advised.
In attendance at the meeting were the immediate past Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt Hon Ude Oko Chukwu; Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; PDP governorship candidate at the 2023 elections, Chief Okey Ahiwe; former and serving PDP members of Abia State House of Assembly led by Hon Solomon Akpulonu, members of the National and State Working Committees, among others.
Speaking afterwards, the Abia PDP Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Abraham Amah, said “Abia PDP is still strong, vibrant and more united”.
It would be recalled that last week, six PDP faithful and former aides to Okezie Ikpeazu, along with their followers had decamped to the All Progress Congress, during APC stakeholders’ meeting in Umunneochi, ahead of a zonal caucus meeting of the APC convened by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha at her Umunneochi country home.
