Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, has declared that God would not forgive him if he failed to acknowledge the performance of Governor Alex Otti of Abia State.
The former Senate Committee Chairman on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, who spoke at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting he convened in Abia North over the weekend at his Arochukwu country home, admitted that Governor Otti had recorded undeniable achievements, especially in infrastructural development.
He blamed PDP’s woeful outing in the 2023 elections on the refusal of the party to cede its governorship ticket to Abia North despite wise counsel, saying the party had learned its lessons “the hard way.”
Ohuabunwa, a former Leader of the ECOWAS Parliament, stressed that after elections, leaders should focus on governance and addressing the challenges of the people. He noted that the present administration in Abia had attended to issues long ignored by previous PDP governments.
“For us in Abia North, you all knew what we fought for in the last PDP government. We begged that it was time for Abia North to produce the governor. We also pleaded for some developmental projects in the zone. But today, from what I have heard and seen, most of those roads have been done by the current government.
“And I cannot say, because I am a PDP man, that I should fail to acknowledge the truth. God will not forgive me if I do that. Coming to Arochukwu is now shorter. Even the Omenuko Bridge that some people were dragging and claiming to have attracted has now been completed.”
According to him, infrastructure in Abia North has greatly improved under Otti, especially in road construction. He insisted his remarks were not about party politics but about recognizing the governor’s visible achievements.
On the state of the PDP, Ohuabunwa dismissed claims that the party was in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), describing its current challenges as a “healing process” caused by past mistakes and internal sabotage during the 2023 elections.
“PDP is not in the ICU. What happened was that God has been merciful to our party, but we took it for granted. Some members stood aloof while others were contesting elections. But now, we have come to our senses. Going forward, we will behave well,” he said.
He admitted being betrayed by some party members in 2023 but said he had forgiven them.
“I have heard confessions from people who pretended to be with us during the elections but were secretly working against us.”
Ohuabunwa urged party members to unite, avoid bitterness, and hold one another accountable. He cited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as an example of political sincerity.
“When PDP was messing up, he openly declared he would not go with the party for the presidential election. Today, is he not vindicated? PDP has zoned the presidency to the South. If we had done the right thing then, the story would have been different.”
He clarified that the stakeholders’ meeting was not about his personal political ambition but about rebuilding the PDP.
“I did not call this meeting because I am running for any office. I only convened it as a stakeholder to encourage our members to keep faith in this great party. I am not leaving PDP. My party is PDP. Let’s sustain it, make it vibrant, and remain committed to what we believe in.”
He pledged support for the Abia PDP Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, and the State Working Committee.
Speaking at the meeting, Elder Amah urged members to remain steadfast and learn from the mistakes of 2023.
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can learn from it,” he said, assuring that PDP would present credible and visionary candidates in future elections.
He commended Ohuabunwa for convening the meeting, describing it as proof of his deep commitment to the growth of the party.
Also speaking, former Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro, emphasized unity and reconciliation, blaming PDP’s misfortunes on its refusal to respect power rotation in the state.
Similarly, PDP Zonal Chairman for Abia North, Chief Okereke Elendu, urged members to put the past behind them.
“This is a time for sober reflection. We must work collectively to rebuild PDP and overcome the divisions we created for ourselves,” he said.
Former Commissioner for Basic Education, Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma, also hailed Ohuabunwa for prioritizing party unity even without personal political ambition, describing the move as “a true mark of leadership.”
PDP leaders from all five local government areas of Abia North attended the meeting.
