Former Abia Deputy Governor Resigns From PDP To Challenge Senator Orji Kalu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The ranks of the troubled Peoples Democratic party PDP on Friday August 8, 2025, further shrinked in Abia State ,with the resignation of the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, Rt Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.

Oko Chukwu’s exit from  the PDP was contained in a letter dated August 5, 2025, and addressed to the party ‘s chairman in his Ndi Elu Ward, Nkporo, Ohafia Local Council of the State.

The former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and stalwart of the PDP for the past two decades, informed that his decision to part ways with the party that had offered him sanctuary for this long was a personal, but difficult one  to make.

He, however , expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunities afforded him to serve the people.

Although he offered no reasons for abandoning the PDP, his exit is coming on the heels of his recent visit to, and endorsement of Labour Party’s  Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office at his country home in Nvosi, Isialanwa Ngwa local Council of the State, last week.

During the visit, Oko Chukwu extolled the leadership qualities and performance-nature of the Governor’s two years in office, with an  assertion that his second term in office is guaranteed.

Expectedly, his endorsement of an LP-led Abia State Government instantly alerted the PDP hierarchy to his imminent exit, as the leadership not only condemned the visit, but also described him as an ingrate.

In a statement immediately after  Oko Chukwu’s visit to Governor Otti, the Abia State Chairman of the PDP, Comrade Abraham Amah, noted that while the Party recognizes the right of members to make political choices, it nevertheless takes great exception to followers who  are patently ungrateful.

The Abia PDP chairman, described the decision of the former Deputy Governor to treat the PDP with ignominy after years of hugely benefitting from it as classic case of ingratitude.

He insisted that  Oko Chukwu’s decision to romance with the LP Government in the State is being driven by selfish political motives.

Although Oko Chukwu, in his resignation letter, did not reveal his destination, there are strong indications that he will first be aligning with LP, pending when the ADC arrangements in the State would have been clearer.

It is also highly speculated that he will be confronting Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in the race for the Abia North Senatorial District seat in 2027, having been assured of the backing of not a few power brokers both in the Zone and Abia State in general.

Already, a smearing media war has erupted between some forces in his Ohafia Local Council and the camp of Kalu in Bende Local Government in the count down to the Senate contest.

Chief David Ogba, a known political ally of Governor Otti from Ohafia Local Council last week, pointedly, in a statement told Kalu, a former Governor of the State ,that his time at the red chamber of the National Assembly has come to end.

Meanwhile, the PDP has described the exit of the former Deputy Governor as not a loss but rather a liberation; a purgation and good riddance to bad rubbish.

A statement issued by the State Working Committee, SWC, on Friday, warned that the public should not be deceived by Oko Chukwu’s reference to personal issues as reasons for exiting the party.

According to the party, Oko Chukwu is fleeing from the consequences of his political irrelevance.

“His ambition to resurface as a Senatorial candidate is not only laughable, it is an insult to the good people of Abia North.

“Here was a man who for twenty long years, occupied prime positions of power under the benevolence of the PDP.

“Twelve years in the Abia State House of Assembly, four of which he served as Speaker. Eight years as Deputy Governor. Twenty uninterrupted years of privileged platform and prominence–with absolutely nothing to show for it.

“He single-handedly managed the Internally Generated Revenue of Abia State for eight solid years. Yet, the State was left in worse fiscal condition with no traceable infrastructure or economic transformation tied to his stewardship.

“In Ohafia, his home LGA, his record is a barren land of wasted years. He delivered no water, no electricity, no meaningful empowerment, and no political legacy.

“His people remain in darkness, both literally and politically, while he basked in the comfort of Government House. What a shameful scorecard

” Let heavens and earth bear witness: Ude Oko Chukwu’s exit was long over due . He came with nothing, he departs with  multi billion assets he acquired for himself at the detriment of his community and people. His absence shall be a blessing to our rebirth”, PDP stated.