By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State is apparently facing hard times currently following the looming mass exodus of aggrieved members loyal to former governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.
The PDP in the state has continued to suffer internal leadership crisis since Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu insisted on retaining the post of National Secretary of the leading opposition party as even after grabbing the governorship ticket of the party for the November 11, 2023 election in Imo.
Following recent trending calls by members of the Ihedioha political family, it is expected that tens of thousands of Ihedioha supporters will dump the PDP in Imo any moment from now if the former governor decides to heed the clarion call of political confidants.
Only last weekend, the immediate past Director-General of Imo State Orientation Agency, ISOA, Chief Martin Opara in a public statement declared that the friends and associates of Ihedioha are demanding he exits the PDP.
In a statement issued Monday in Owerri and made available to newsmen, Opara declared that it has become expedient for Ihedioha to “step forward to add his voice to the call for a New Nigeria where production will replace Consumption.”
Opara who is also the President-General of Olu Owerri, the apex socio-cultural organization of Owerri Zone of Imo State, said he has been inundated with calls from concerned Imolites at home and diaspora over the defection call on the former governor, with many supporting the move.
His words, “I have received several calls from my friends and associates all over the country, inquiring why members of the Ihedioha political family and Igbos by extension, want Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“Though many called and expressed their support for the move, some others are of the view that there is no election at hand now and that we should not pressure the former governor for the move. However, our call on former Gov. Ihedioha to join forces with his likes to rescue Nigeria transcends any personal political ambition.
”The failure of PDP as an opposition party to checkmate the ruling party and fight for the masses while preferring alternative, caused by the party’s erosion by agents of the corrupt rulling party, is a major reason why Ihedioha to quit PDP.
”Again, the unfortunate marginalization of the South East in the allocation of position and resources in Nigeria calls for collaborative effort and it is hoped that a new platform where the Igbos will be treated as humans and noble efforts of our leaders appreciated, is necessary now than ever.
“As a strong believer and advocate of a glorious Imo under Ihedioha, I join my voice to strongly urge Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, to accept our call to bow out of PDP and join the movement to rescue Nigeria in obedience.”
Similarly, Imolites in diaspora and PDP women leaders across the state have added their voice to the call on Ihedioha to dump PDP for any other party of his choice with firm assurances that they will accompany him to the new party.
