* Former minister, Odom resigns from PDP
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Former Senate President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Senator Adolphus Wabara, has vowed that any attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, would be vigorously resisted.This is coming as a former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Chuka Odom, has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Also, more members of the PDP have tendered their letters of resignation from the party, since last week’s resignation of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha from the party.Senator Wabara who was responding to the reported mass resignation of some key PDP members in the South-east geo-political zone, accused the APC of using some elements in the PDP to disintegrate the party.Recall that the former Governor of Imo State, Ihedioha, on Tuesday, resigned his membership of the PDP, citing the lingering controversy over the position of the PDP National Secretary.
Barely 24 hours after the former governor’s exit, key members and officials of the party in Imo State also tendered their resignation letters.Some of the National officers from Imo State who had allegedly resigned from the PDP included: BoT member, Chief Chris Okewulonu; four zonal officers – Mr Stanley Ekezie, ex-officio Zonal Officer; Chief Austin Okeke, Zonal Publicity Secretary; Chief Emeka Nwokeke, Zonal Organising Secretary and Zonal Woman Leader, Mrs Ruth Nkwocha.
Others were three state officers and a local government Chairman of the party in Imo, namely: Mr. Kissinger Ikokwu, State Legal Adviser; Mazi Emenike Nmeregini, State Publicity Secretary; Chief David Abanihi, State Assistant Treasurer and Hon Sambazz Iheaturueme, Obowo LGA Chairman.Former members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri; Mr Chibuzor Agulana, Prof. Obioma Iheduru, Mrs. Amarachi Owuamanam , were also said to be among those who had dumped the main opposition party.
Reacting to the development, Wabara said that the PDP BoT would swiftly wade in to halt further exit of other members.Wabara said that the BoT as the conscience of the party, would not allow self-seeking individuals to be used by the ruling party to destabilise the PDP.He said: “The BoT will wade in expeditiously to save the deliberate and planned extinction of this great party, the Peoples Democratic Party.“The BoT with the array of distinguished men and women of invaluable experience and integrity will surely salvage the party. The BoT did it once and shall do it again no matter whose ox is gored.
“The BoT will never allow the APC to use some characters in the PDP to turn this beautiful and sweet Nation (Nigeria) into a one-party state,” Wabara added.Meanwhile, a former Minister of State for the FCT, Odom, who was a gubernatorial aspirant in Abia State in 2015 on the PDP platform, has also resigned from the party.
Before his resignation, Odom held various political positions, including Commissioner for Special Duties in Abia State (2003-2007), Federal Minister of State for Environment, Housing, and Urban Development (2007-2009), and Minister of State for FCT (2009-2010).
In a letter addressed to the PDP National Chairman, Odom stated that his resignation was prompted by two considerations.According to him, the PDP is no longer capable of providing a credible and robust opposition to the ruling party, which he considers essential for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.He also indicated his desire to take a break from partisan politics to pursue other interests.
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