Abia PDP Adopts Shadow Govt to Play New Role of Opposition

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Having come to terms with its current status as an opposition party, the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would play its role using a shadow government like in the parliamentary system. 

The former Abia ruling party said that with a “vibrant shadow government as never seen before in Africa”, it would play its reversed role as an opposition party effectively while rebuilding to return to power. 

The new State Chairman of Abia PDP, Amah Abraham Nnanna, stated this during the inauguration of  the newly-elected State Working Committee at the party secretariat in Umuahia. 

He said that his leadership would usher in a rebranded Abia PDP which would take back power from the Labour Party government, adding that the present ruling party would not last beyond 2027. 

“Today, we make a bold statement that this is a new beginning, a beginning that will usher in a new, rebranded PDP that will reposition itself to take over power, by the special grace of God, and return PDP to power by 2027,” Nnanna stated. 

However, he stated that the Abia PDP leadership was very much aware that achieving the goal of returning to power is not going to be a tea party and “is going to come with a lot of sacrifices” on the part party members. 

 Nnanna vowed that “as a management team of our party, we are committed to making sure that we make those sacrifices”, adding that “we are mindful of the challenges that await us.” 

He promised to make the seat of governance very hot for the LP government, saying that that the new Abia SWC would keep the current administration on its toes and ensure that it delivers good governance to the people of the state. 

He aid: “In the next few days, we will unveil a brand, new shadow government that will take over the responsibility of running the most proactive shadow government in any region of Africa. 

“We will have equivalent of all the ministries, and appoint commissioners that will run them, as well as other appointments, people who will be saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with the government of the day and keeping them in check.” 

Nnanna further explained that the PDP shadow government would ensure that “at all times, that they(ruling party) deliver nothing short of good governance to the people of Abia State. 

“We are committed to that,” he assured the party faithful and the entire people of Abia. 

As part of the rebranding process, the Abia PDP Chairman announced dissolution of the party’s Elders Forum and appointed Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, pioneer Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), “to provide the new leadership” of the body. 

He said that other members of the Elders Forum would be announced in due course, adding that the SWC would in the next 24 hours set put a reconciliation committee with the responsibility of bringing back to the fold, aggrieved members that had left the party. 

“What we intend to do is to interface with all those who have left the party and make sure that they come back. A good number of them have already reached out to us. They have congratulated us and have also indicated their interest to come back to the party,” he said. 

Exuding infectious optimism, Nnanna assured party members that he would provide purposeful leadership, saying: “In the days ahead, I promise you that you are going to see Abia PDP at its best.” 

The  new members of Abia PDP SWC who were administered with the oath of office by the South-east PDP Legal Adviser Barr. Ukpai Uka Iro, include the Chairman, Elder Amah Abraham Nnnanna, Deputy Chairman, Chief Chinyere Onuoha, and Secretary, Peter Nwaokonko. 

Others are Patrick Onwuka, Vice Chairman Abia Central; Chief Gabriel Elendu, Vice Chairman, Abia North; Eric Ikwuagwu, Publicity Secretary; Mbanaso Chidiebere Innocent, Auditor; Fidelia Ekejianya, Women Leader; Chief Ndubuisi Enyioko, Youth Leader; Prince Obinna Okey, Orgnising Secretary; Chizuru Kelechi Kanu, Treasurer,  and Ken Madubuike, Financial Secretary.