The fortunes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South East worsened yesterday as more leaders in the geo-political zone dumped the party.
Their resignation came barely days after the PDP held its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was meant to take far-reaching decisions on those accused of anti-party activities during the 2023 elections.
Recall that the party’s dominance in the region fell from controlling the five states in the geopolitical zone in 2011 to being in charge of just one at the end of 2023 election.
However, leading the ranks of those who dumped the PDP yesterday is a former deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
Others are zonal publicity secretary of PDP, Augustine Okeke; Imo State PDP legal adviser, Barrister Kissinger Ikeokwu; the publicity secretary, Emenike Nmeregini; secretary PDP elders committee, Prof Obioma Iheduru; former zonal ex-officio, Stanley Ekezie.
Others are state assistant treasurer, David Abanihi; Hon Onwubuariri Obinna Kingsley; Johncee Nwaiwu; Chukwuemeka Nwokeke; Chief Chris Okewulonu; Hon Marcel Nwankwo.
Defending his reason for dumping PDP, Ihedioha said the party was no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ihedioha, who briefly served as Imo State governor in 2019 until the Supreme Court overturned his victory, presented his resignation letter to the chairman of PDP in his Mbutu Ward of Aboh Mbaise local government area in Imo State.
He also copied the chairman of PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), PDP acting national chairman, and chairman of PDP in Imo State.
The letter dated April 23, 2024, and titled “Resignation From The Peoples Democratic Party,” read “Since 1998, I have contributed my quota to the development and transformation of the Peoples Democratic Party as one of the founding members. All these years, I have taken pride in the fact that the PDP is a party that will always look inwards for internal reforms and provide credible leadership for the people, whether in power or outside power. I have had the benefit of serving and benefitting from the party at various levels.
“Regrettably, in recent times, the party has taken on a path that is at variance with my personal beliefs. Despite my attempt to offer counsel, the party is sadly, no longer able to carry out internal reforms, enforce its own rules or offer credible opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“It is in the light of the foregoing, that I am compelled to offer my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party effective immediately. While this decision was difficult to take, I, however, believe that it is the right one. Despite this resignation, I will always be available to offer my services towards the deepening of democracy and good governance in Nigeria,” he said.
He was however silent on which political party he would join.