Chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Chief Kevin Tobias Chukwu, has met with the ward executives of the party in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. The strategic meeting was aimed at taking a roll call of the existing ward executives following the wave of defections by party members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Chief Kevin Tobias Chukwu, who is currently the first Vice Chairman of PDP, Ebonyi Central Zone, said his intention is to unite the party in the Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone and make it formidable ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He enjoined the party executives to remain glued to the party, noting that the PDP stands a good chance in the upcoming polls.
“We’re gathered here today basically to take a role call. We’ve seen a lot of exodus of members from our party into the ruling party of today, the APC, and we want to see what was left and how to put our house in order, bring back our members. So, the people you see here today are the ward executives of PDP in Ikwo Local Government Area.
“Our meeting here today is satisfactory. At least you can see that they are still our members from various wards that are still with us,” he stated.
Chief Chukwu attributed hunger, starvation, stiffness, lack of inclusivity, and a breakage in relationships among party leaders as some of the reasons behind the mass defection of members from the PDP to the APC.
“Hunger in this country is too much. So many people in Ebonyi State dwell mostly on government survival, so when you’re not part of government, you barely even eat, so what do you expect? You find everybody moving to the ruling party in order for them to survive. The economy is stiff-necked, people are in terrible hunger and strife.”
He further called on party members to come together and work for the PDP, expressing optimism about the party’s chances in 2027.
“I want all our members to come together and work for our party and they see the positive impact come 2027. We believe, we will win come 2027. You see, PDP in Ebonyi is grassrooted and foundational. Politics is played local. I am a local politician, so I have to bring the locals together. Let them know what is happening to the party. Let them know that not all PDP leaders left the party. PDP is still strong and intact in Ebonyi State.”
In their separate remarks, Mr. Oyo Romanus from Ekawoke Ward, Kelechi Mgbebu from Ekpelu Ward, and Sunday Nwambeke from Ndiagu Amagu Ward 1, among others, commended Chief Kevin Chukwu for convening the meeting. They noted it was their earnest desire to have such a gathering and emphasized that the meeting was proof that the PDP is not dead in Ikwo, contrary to claims by opponents.
The meeting had in attendance party ward executives from across the political wards in Ikwo, all of whom unanimously pledged their support, solidarity, andand loyalty to the PDP.