2023: PDP Bleeds As Top Leaders Dump Party

By James Orji

Following the departure of Stella Odua  from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP on Thursday, there seems  no end to the  risks facing the party, which has been witnessing endless defection of its top brass to the ruling party

No fewer than three state governors have left the party in the last one year, even as anxiety looms among its leaders that more politicians are likely to dump the embattled party.

Those that have left the party include the Governors of  Ebonyi, Dave Umahi; Zamfara, Matawalle and Cross Rivers, Professor Ben Ayase. Some members of the National Assembly have also defected from the Uche Secondus-led party amidst struggle for its soul.

Secondus was on Thursday restored back to his position after he had earlier being stopped by a Port Harcourt High court, from parading himself as the chairman.

The party has scheduled it’s National Convention, where new leaders will be elected to lead the party, for November, amid division in the party over the future of Secondus as it prepares for the next election.

The defection of the former minister, therefore, many insist is a watershed on the party’s struggle to remain relevant ahead the 2023 presidential election.

Odua, a former minister of Aviation under President Goodluck Jonathan dumped the party yesterday, with the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, who’s also the Governor of Yobe state welcoming her into the party.

Also in attendance at the ceremony were: Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege; and the party’s governorship candidate in the November 2021 Anambra election, Senator Andy Uba

Sources said the former minister’s defection is a plus to the ruling party ahead the November Governorship election in Anambra state.

Speaking over the defection the former minister said she took the decision after consultations with her people, adding that the state is better with APC as the ruling party.

Oduah said she joined the aAPC family with a view to changing the political dynamics in the South East.

While welcoming her into the APC, Governor Buni said she will receive a waiver as a new member of the party.

Meanwhile, Secondus has been restored back to his position as the national chairman, a few days after his sack by a high court in Rivers state. More legal fireworks, those familiar with happenings in the party say, are expected in the next few weeks over his future as the leader of the embattled party.