Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have declared a renewed commitment to rebuilding the party following recent defections and growing internal discontent. Speaking under the platform of Concerned PDP Stakeholders in Enugu State, the group pledged to strengthen grassroots mobilization and resist the increasing influence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition parties.
Leading the stakeholders was Ozo Dr. Okey Ozoani, a former Zonal and Vice Chairman of PDP in the state, who emphasized the enduring legacy of the PDP in Enugu and the importance of preserving its dominance.
“We are here as members and stakeholders of PDP from various wards and local governments. We’re concerned about the wellbeing of our party and the defection of some of our members to other parties, especially the ADC,” Ozoani stated.
Recalling the party’s formidable electoral past, Ozoani highlighted PDP’s deep roots in Enugu’s political landscape.
“There was a time they called PDP 11 of 11, 17 of 17, and 2 of 2 — that’s three senators, eight House of Representatives members, the governor, and councillors. All PDP products.”
He warned against attempts by political “strangers” to hijack the party, insisting that original stakeholders must resist being sidelined.
“The forum is not against anybody. The governor is PDP, and so are we. But we will not leave the party for strangers. That’s the cause of this sudden departure.”
Ozoani encouraged members to return to their local units and re-engage with stakeholders who feel neglected, adding:
“PDP is like a military barrack — soldiers come, soldiers go, but the barrack remains. We must remain.”
When asked about the possibility of following the governor if he defects to another party, Ozoani dismissed the rumour outright.
“It’s an unfounded story. There is nothing happening in PDP. The likes of Bukola Saraki, George Bode, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ortom and others have remained firm. Those leaving are the ones who caused problems in the first place.”
Looking ahead to 2027, the stakeholders advocated for zoning the PDP’s presidential ticket to the South as a way to restore national balance.
“If PDP had allowed Peter Obi or Nyesom Wike to emerge as presidential candidate in 2022, it would have been a strong contest. APC was smarter — they zoned to the South. The political question in Nigeria is simple: North goes, South goes.”
Ozoani also condemned what he described as a pattern of northern coalitions aimed at frustrating southern leadership.
“Each time the South is in power, the North begins to form coalitions. They never did that under Buhari. They succeeded with Jonathan in 2015 but Obasanjo clamped it down. Whenever it’s a southerner, coalitions spring up to frustrate them.”
He concluded by reiterating the group’s unwavering commitment to the PDP and calling on all loyalists to focus on rebuilding efforts.
“We are intact. Our party is stable. We are not leaving. Instead, we are rebuilding, and we call on all loyal members to do the same.”
