Imo PDP Secretary, Emeana Defects to APC

Amby Uneze in Owerri

Some key members of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have started decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the state PDP Secretary, Ray Emeana, led his supporters to declare for the APC.

Emeana, who made this declaration yesterday at the headquarters of the APC in Owerri North Local Government Area where he comes from, witnessed a huge celebration of enthusiastic party faithful.

He said his resignation from the PDP as well as its state secretary since June 18, 2023, he had been undaunted with propaganda against his person, but he decided to ignore them because he was convinced on the line he decided to tow.

According to him, “In spite of the provocations, I have maintained a dignified silence to avoid further contributing to the woes of the PDP in Imo State.

“I have also done so to avoid hurting the few decent men and women who together with me toiled to rebuild PDP into a winning brand until recently and for reasons personal to them have decided to remain in the fast-sinking boat called Imo State PDP.

“For the records, the current fate of the state PDP is as a result of the injustice meted to it by the Iyochia Ayu-led National Working Committee. Despite the grand-swell of information available to Ayu and his mercantile cartel, they decided to foist an unpopular gubernatorial candidate on the party in Imo State.

“Iyochia Ayu and his NWC desperados refused to provide any guidelines for the conduct of the party primaries as provided by the party constitution and the Electoral Act. They decided against all known moral persuasions to allow the national secretary to be the umpire in his own elections which led to other aspirants withdrawing from the race.

“Today, Senator Anyanwu is the PDP gubernatorial candidate, he is the national secretary, he nominated the deputy governorship candidate, and he is hell bent on taking over the party structure in the entire state.

“This is most immoral and unaccepted thing, hence, I resigned from the party to stop further abuse to my conscience. No doubt this is a painful decision. It is disheartening to see a house you have laboured with many other people to build being dismantled.”

He added: “My decision to join the APC and not any other party is based on three considerations. Firstly, is the obvious shyness with which the PDP candidate is approaching the election. Elections go beyond mere dancing and singing and presence. It is a serious capacity endeavour.

“Secondly, supporting Senator Hope Uzodimma to complete a second and final term in office as the governor of Imo State provides Owerri Zone the best opportunity to produce a governor in 2027, considering also the avowed commitment by Uzodimma to the Imo Chatter of Equity and to hand over to an Owerri person in 2027.

“Thirdly, I must confess that I am indeed awed by the massive road infrastructure of the Uzodinma-led government across the state.”