Former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia, Elder Amah Abraham, have criticized party defectors, describing them as impatient individuals unable to endure challenges. They made these remarks during a meeting with Abia South PDP members at Ikpeazu’s Obingwa residence on Saturday.
Ikpeazu attributed the party’s challenges to internal issues but expressed confidence in its ability to rebuild. “We did to ourselves what is happening to us. If we want to correct it, we can,” he stated. He emphasized that some individuals within the party had caused significant damage and were now unwilling to reconcile because they feared retribution.
“There are people who cannot be reconciled because they know they killed the party. Their minds have judged them,” Ikpeazu said, adding, “The war on those who are keeping us down is on. Some cannot endure hunger; they will even eat food meant for spirits and leave after one week.”
Reconciliation and Renewal
Ikpeazu urged the party’s reconciliation committee to focus on replacing unwilling defectors with committed youths. “Our war tactics should follow Gideon’s strategy, not by numbers. Those who ran away are lazy politicians. This is the time to work. We must work out our salvation; it will not come on a platter of gold again,” he declared.
Responding to claims by some defectors that he sabotaged their election bids, Ikpeazu dismissed the allegations as baseless. “I gave them tickets. How could I then ask people not to vote for them? Their reasons for leaving are ridiculous,” he said.
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A Lesson in Loss
Elder Abraham acknowledged the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 elections but viewed it as a blessing in disguise. “God has been faithful to this party. For 24 years, we were in government. Losing the 2023 elections is not entirely negative. It has allowed us to identify the real PDP members,” he explained.
Abraham pointed out that the loss revealed the betrayal within the party. “Our loss was a collaborative effort by some stakeholders who received party resources and worked against us. It wasn’t Satan; it was us,” he admitted. However, he expressed optimism about the party’s future, stating, “This is the time for us to rise and shine. We’ve learned our lessons, and those who betrayed us are already suffering the consequences.”
He warned against selling political influence to the highest bidder, stressing, “If we allow corrupt money to hijack the system, the party will suffer. Let’s ensure that our primaries are free and fair.”
Focus on 2027
Party leaders, including Erondu Erondu (Jnr), Solomon Akoulonu, and Ezinwa Abiriba, assured members that plans were underway to restore the PDP’s prominence in Abia South. They expressed confidence in the party’s ability to reclaim power in the 2027 elections.
“We are committed to returning PDP to its former glory in this zone and beyond,” Abraham said.
The PDP leadership urged members to remain united and work collectively toward the party’s resurgence, with hopes of a stronger, more focused party leading into the next election cycle.