Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The South-East zone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday, elected new zonal executives with Dr. Ali Odefa re-elected as Zonal Chairman, the same day Ikengaonline had reported that a federal high court sitting in Abakaliki gave judgment affirming his expulsion from the PDP by his Oguduokwor Ward executives, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The election which was peaceful took place at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu.
The party also elected, Hon. James Ugwu as the Zonal Secretary; Mrs. Regina Uchebo as Zonal Treasurer; Hon. Cornelius Ugwu as Zonal Organising Secretary; Madubuike Okoro Zonal Financial Secretary; Engr. Chigozie Igwe, Publicity Secretary; Barr. Dominic Nwankwo, legal adviser; and a woman leader.
In the same vein, Mr Godswill Nwanoruo and Mr Ezeanya Augustine were elected to the positions of Zonal Youth Leader and Auditor.
Also elected were six National Ex-officio members and five Zonal Ex-Officio members.
Speaking at the event, Governor Peter Mbah, who is the leader of the party in the zone and in the state, reminded party faithful that election was never an end in itself and neither should the victory arising from it be construed as personal triumphs.
Mbah tasked party faithful on setting the PDP as a template for good governance, insisting that “democracy abhors excuses – no matter how plausible they sound.”
“We fully understand the demands and expectations of the people in a democratic setting.
“The bottom line is good governance. This is the ideal to which the PDP has committed to from its inception.
“That is why, for us here in Enugu State, the people remain the centerpiece of government policies. The improvement of their welfare is not a task we regard with levity.
“It reflects in our determination to ensure that the provision of basic services can indeed be taken for granted by the people.
“Democracy is beyond the squabble for office and power. It is about the people. We cannot emphasise that enough,” Mbah stated.
He further tasked party faithful on unity and reinventing the party to restore its past glory in the South-East region.
“The party’s greatness derives from its capacity to reinvent itself, and retain its national appeal in the face of challenges. The South-East has always been a bastion of the PDP. We must ensure that it remains so.”
In his acceptance speech, on behalf of the 21 member executive, the Zonal Chairman, Chief Odefa, called for unity, saying it is the only guarantee of PDP’s victory over the ruling All Progressive’s Congress, APC, which it accused of bad policies and misgovernance that have caused sufferings in the land.
Also in attendance at the congress observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; National Secretary, Hon. SKE Ude-Okoye, Senators Sam Egwu, Osita Ngwu and Augustine Akobundu.
The party’s National Auditor, Chief Dan Obi; Federal and State lawmakers, former Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, council chairmen, State party executives and other delegates from the zone attended the event.
