Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign council in Ebonyi State, has hailed the amended list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which restored Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the authentic candidate of the party in the state.
The statement signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of the party’s Campaign Council, Abia Onyike, on Tuesday, said the publication of Odii’s name has vindicated the party.
A check on the amended list seen on the INEC’s website published on January 30, 2023, showed that Odii’s name had been restored after it was removed from the previous list released on December 23, 2022.
The statement read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has once again vindicated the teeming members and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State with the restoration of the name of the party’s governorship candidate, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii as the authentic and only governorship candidate of the PDP in Ebonyi State.
“The publication of Dr Odii on the January 30, 2023 update of authentic governorship candidates by INEC vindicates the teeming members of the PDP in Ebonyi State who have stood their ground behind Dr Ifeanyi Odii.
Dr Odii who was validly elected at the party’s primary and subsequently affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria was also on Thursday, January 26, 2023, handed the flag of the PDP by the National Working Committee (NWC) led in person by the National Chairman of our great party, Sen. Dr Iyorchia Ayu, at the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, Abakaliki.
“With this latest development, the victory of the PDP in the March 11 governorship election is further assured as all is now set for the PDP to reclaim its stolen mandate and restore peace to the Salt of the Nation.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ebonyi State has inaugurated its Elders Council ahead of the party’s local government rallies and other campaign activities.
The inauguration of the council which was conducted by the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, who stood in for the Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the Ebonyi PDP Governorship candidate, took place at Mr Odii’s Campaign Council Headquarters in Abakaliki on Monday.
Inaugurating the Council, Sen. Igwe Nwagu called on the elders to see their nominations as a call to active service.
He said their duties mainly revolves around guidance of the party leaders and members on best ways to win the coming elections as well as providing technical support to all arms of the party in its quest to rescue and recover Ebonyi from the strangle hold of usurpers of the peoples’ mandate.
Senator Nwagu assured the elders that the leaders of the PDP “shall ensure the safety and protection of all members and supporters of the party in the state.”
Senator Nwagu reiterated the determination of the PDP to take back power in the state, noting that “the governorship seat of the state has gone round the three senatorial districts of the state and can now start from anywhere.”
Speaking further, Sen. Nwagu said that Ebonyi people cannot “sacrifice capacity, honesty and integrity on the platter of rotation.”
In his remarks, the Director General of the Campaign Council, Augustine Igwe Edeze, said that “there is no doubt that the PDP in Ebonyi State is poised for victory” as all encumbrances have been properly vacated by the hand of God.
Narrating the various threats that some clannish people were throwing at him over his leadership of the campaign Council, Mr Edeze assured the elders and all members of the PDP that he was ready and committed to the job until victory was achieved.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Elders Council and former Acting National Secretary of the PDP, Onwe S. Onwe, assured the party that he was encouraged by the caliber of members of the council.
He further assured that the confidence reposed in them will not be regretted by the party.
Members of the council were drawn from the 13 local government areas and Abakaliki Urban, which according to the Deputy Governorship candidate will henceforth be treated as a local government by the PDP.
The members of the Elders Council include, Pharm. Nwiboko Keneth Oyemaechi, Hon. Emmanuel Nwandegu, Chief Agu Okpani, Hon. Hilary Egwu, Chief Anthony Nwankwegu, Chief Godwin Nwode, Barr. Felix Mgbada, MON, Hon. Samuel Mgbada, Sir Kevin Nwankwo, Chief Oliver N. U. Eze Mr. Davidson Nwali, Engr. Princewill Oke, Chief Monday Okoro, Hon Evang Okereke Chrismonk, Hon. Paul Ogbonna
Others are, Chief Boniface Ofoke, Hon. Moses Nwobegu, Prof.Sunday N. Agwu, Dr. Obasi Ekwe, Chief Hon Chijioke Igwe Uwa, Chief John Igboke and Chief Emmanuel Ugbala.
