Ikpeazu opens up on dumping PDP
Former Governor of Abia State Okezie Ikpeazu has assured members of the Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus that he has no plan to leave the party, saying he would retain other members to rebuild the umbrella party in the state.

Ikpeazu, who spoke on Thursday during a caucus meeting held at the new PDP secretariat at Onyerubi Crescent in Umuahia, called for unity of purpose among members of the party in the state to ensure that the party quickly returned to winning ways, stated that the exit of some of his former aides to other political parties remained their personal choice.

“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 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,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the state PDP Chairman, Asiforo Okere, thanked members who have remained steadfast in supporting the party, especially after the 2023 elections, and those who have refused to leave PDP, pointing out that the party still has a majority number of members in the Abia State House of Assembly despite losing the governorship seat.

He announced that the National Working Committee of the party has extended the tenures of elected ward executives by three months in an acting capacity and the constitution of three committees to handle peace and reconciliation, way forward, and finance.

Also speaking, the Senator representing Abia Central, Austin Akobundu, stated that while people were free to leave and join a political party, the PDP in Abia State is a movement that nobody could kill.

Recall that that many top members of the PDP in Abia, including former Chief of Staff to Ikpeazu, Anthony Agbazuere; former commissioner for information and strategy, Eze Chikanmayo; former House of Assembly member, Jerry Uzosike; among others had in recent weeks, defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, LP.

In a related development, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the alleged amended list of Caretaker Committee members that has been circulating on social media and appeared in some national newspapers on Thursday.

Governor Fubara, as quoted by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, made this clarification after a meeting with the NWC at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Thursday evening.

The Governor reiterated that the decisions made during a previous meeting between the NWC, the Board of Trustees (BOTs), and the PDP Governors’ Forum in Abuja in March still stand.

He further emphasized the party’s stance that the executive officers, whose tenures ended in March, will continue in their respective roles until the NWC-approved three-month extension period expires and new congresses are conducted.

Governor Fubara recalled a letter from the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, dated March 27, 2024, addressed to the Rivers State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Hon Aaron Chukwuemeka. The letter had clarified the authentic members of the Caretaker Committees at various levels in Rivers State.

He said the letter had in copy the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Deputy National Chairman, South, Taofeek Arapaja; himself; the National Secretary of the party, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and the National Legal Adviser, Ajibade Adeyemi, SAN.

He quoted the letter as saying, “Following the expiration of the elected Ward, LGA, and State Executive Members in Rivers State, the National Working Committee (NWC), pursuant to the provisions of Section 29 (2) (b) of the Constitution of our Party, has, on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) approved the appointment of the expired Excos as Caretaker Committee Members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, attached to this letter is theauthentic list of the Caretaker Committee Members in Rivers State. These Caretaker Committees shall run the affairs of our Party at their appropriate levels for a period of three (3) months effective from the dates of their expiration, i.e. March 14, 18, 21, 2024 for Wards, LGA, and State, respectively.

“Please note that the NWC equally approved that anywhere vacancies have occurred due to death, removal, resignation, or defection, such vacancies shall not be filled.

“While thanking you for your continuous commitment, please accept the assurances of the NWC’s highest regards”.

Governor Fubara stressed that the party remains committed to the agreement outlined in the letter and warned against any attempts to change the agreed positions.

He dismissed the circulated list as fabricated and advised those affected to disregard it completely. He clarified that the party did not remove or replace the names of officers whose tenures were extended for three months, pending possible ratification by the National Executive Committee on April 18.

Governor Fubara condemned the circulated list as a deliberate attempt to cause discord within the party, orchestrated by politicians using public funds to stir unnecessary tension and distract the government from its governance duties.

He urged the affected party officers to remain calm and continue their legitimate duties, while warning troublemakers to desist from causing confusion and disunity or face severe consequence.

He also cautioned those listed as Caretaker Committee members against impersonation, stating that anyone caught would face legal consequences for forgery and impersonation.