Ihedioha’s exit triggers mass resignation in Imo PDP

At least eight officials of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo have resigned from the party. 

The members who have quit the party include Kissinger Ikeokwu (state legal adviser), Emenike Nmeregini (acting state publicity secretary), David Abanihi (assistant treasurer), Obioma Iheduru (secretary, Imo PDP elders’ committee), and Nwokeke Chukwuemeka (zonal organising secretary, Okigwe zone).

Others are Stanley Ekezie (south-east zonal ex officio member), Marcel Nwankwo (ex house of representatives aspirants), Augustine Okeke (south-east zonal publicity secretary), and Onwubuariri Kingsley (former member of the house of representatives).

Other party chieftains who also tendered their resignation are Chris Okewulonu, Ajachukwu Eze, and Johncee Nwaiwu.

They conveyed their resignation in various letters addressed to their ward chairpersons.

On Tuesday, Emeka Ihedioha, a former governorship candidate of the party in the state, resigned from the PDP.

Ihedioha attributed his decision to the party’s inability to offer “credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

LEADERSHIP CRISIS ROCKS PDP

The development comes less than a week after the national executive committee (NEC) of the party met in Abuja.

The opposition party has been dogged by internal wranglings.

Before the NEC meeting, some members demanded the resignation of Umar Damagum as the national chair of the PDP.

Among several allegations hurled at Damagum, the members alleged that he tampered with the caretaker committee member lists in Rivers and ten other states.

But at last Thursday’s NEC meeting, the party extended Damagum’s stay in office by another three months.

The party asked the national working committee (NWC) to reconstitute the committee lists across the states.

However, in a statement issued on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the NWC cannot review the list because of a court injunction.

“After an extensive deliberation, the NWC noted the existence of an Ex-Parte Order issued by the Federal High Court, Abuja restraining the NWC from further action with respect to the status of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List as published,” the statement reads.

“However, while the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List as published stands in compliance with the Order of the Court, the NWC notes the concerted intervention and efforts of various Organs of the Party, particularly the PDP Governors’ Forum to finding a political solution to the issue of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee.

“The NWC therefore resolved to, in conjunction with the PDP Governors’ Forum, intensify action in the continuing consultation to resolving the issues of the Rivers State PDP Chapter amicably.”