The National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), South East Zone, Hon. Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu, has officially began his zonal tour across the South East, with Imo State as his first stop.
According to him, the tour commenced in Imo because the state is home to the PDP National Secretary, Distinguished Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
In his welcome address, the State Chairman, Chief Austin Nwachukwu, began by expressing his gratitude to all the PDP chairmen and executives in the state who responded positively and attended the meeting, despite the very short notice. He noted that their commitment reflected their genuine dedication to the unity and progress of the party.
Chief Nwachukwu went further to express deep concern over what he described as divisive actions by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah. He criticized the governor’s persistent targeting of Senator Samuel Anyanwu and described such actions as anti-party. He also questioned the continued association of Chief Ali Odefa with the PDP, despite his suspension and total expulsion.
He revealed that he deliberately boycotted the nullified zonal congress in Enugu, stating that it was not only barred by a court judgment but was also an obvious sham.
Speaking during the meeting, South East Organising Secretary Mike Ahumbe reaffirmed that multiple court judgments have barred Ali Odefa from parading himself as the PDP National Vice Chairman (South East), yet he continues to flout these legal pronouncements. He also criticized Governor Mbah for hosting Odefa in open defiance of court rulings.
In his address, Hon. Goodluck Egwu, visibly moved by the rousing reception, thanked the Imo PDP family for their show of support. He assured them that under his leadership, the South East zone will experience a PDP renaissance.
“I will not let you down. I’ve hit the ground running. The glory of our great party in the South East will be restored. The PDP is back in full force, not just in Ebonyi State or the South East, but across Nigeria, and very soon, everyone will feel the wave of our revival.” he said.
He pledged to work with all relevant stakeholders, welcoming contributions and suggestions from all party faithful for the betterment of the PDP. He further reiterated his unwavering support for the party’s national leadership and maintained that Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the undisputed National Secretary of the PDP, stressing that “there is no vacancy in that office.”
To further validate his position, Hon. Egwu presented to the stakeholders and the press several court judgments and documents. These included:
The court order that suspended and expelled Ali Odefa. The judgment that nullified the last zonal congress in Enugu. The ruling affirming Hon. Egwu as the legitimate South East National Vice Chairman of the PDP
The meeting ended on a high note with a vote of confidence passed on Hon. Goodluck Egwu by the Imo State PDP. The motion was moved by Chief Emeka Chukwu and seconded by Emeka Alex, receiving unanimous endorsement from all present.