Ihedioha Moves to Join Labour Party, Holds Discussions with Abia Governor, Alex Otti

•Another PDP BoT member resigns

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City and Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Less than a week after resigning his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a former governor of Imo State, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, appeared to have initiated moves to join the Labour Party (LP).

This suspicion, however, followed his meeting with the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, at his Nvosi country home, on Sunday, for what pundits have described asexploratory talks before pitching his tent with the LP.

This was as another chieftain of the PDP in Edo State, and member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Mr. Charles Idahosa, has resigned his membership of the party.

However, Ihedioha’s visit was made known yesterday when Otti’s office released a photograph showing him with the Abia governor during the visit.

Otti is the only LP governor in Nigeria.

A two paragraph release that accompanied the photograph did not reveal the purpose of Ihedioha’s visit but only said the Abia governor received his visitor, “who was on a private visit.

“After the welcome reception, Governor Otti and his visitor retired into a closed-door meeting,” the release said.

Ihedioha is believed to be shopping for a political platform after he resigned his membership of PDP on April 23, 2024, citing the way the issue of the national secretary of the party was resolved in favour of Samuel Anyanwu.

By getting his job back as PDP National Secretary after losing the governorship poll, the structure of the party in Imo has firmly been thrust into Anyanwu’s control thereby putting his rival, Ihedioha on a very weak footing in Imo PDP.

His resignation from the party, however, opened a floodgate of resignations by his loyalists, who were party office holders from local government to national level.

It is expected that these Imo PDP chieftains and their supporters would follow Ihedioha into LP when he eventually announces his new found party.

Meanwhile, Idahosa, too, announced his decision to quit the PDP in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Ehor Ward and I of the party in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State and copied to the Chairman, BoT of the PDP, South South National Vice Chairman, the State Chairman and Uhunmwonde Local Government Chairman of the party.

“I trust this letter finds you well. I am reaching out to formally announce my decision to resign from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and my role as a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT).

“As a representative of the South South Nigerian region, this decision comes after considerable contemplation and reflection on my personal and political journey.

“Throughout my tenure within the Peoples Democratic Party, I have been privileged to contribute to its vision and mission. However, after careful consideration, I believe it is time for me to pursue new paths and opportunities beyond the party’s confines.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the PDP community for their unwavering support and camaraderie during my time of service. I remain committed to upholding the values and principles that have guided my political engagement thus far.

“I look forward to new avenues of growth and contribution, and I extend my best wishes to the Peoples Democratic Party as it continues its important work.”

Idahosa, a former local government chairman and political adviser to former governor Adams Oshiomhole, did not however indicate his next political move.