Imo PDP Crisis: Ugwu Remains State Chairman – National Body

By Gideon Njoku

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has affirmed Engr. Charles Ugwu, as the only recognised State Chairman.

The State Chapter of the Party has, for months, been badly afflicted by crisis which factionised the Party into two. This situation was one of the reasons which led to the Party’s embarrassing performance at the Governorship election held on November 11, 2023.

Its candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, performed so badly that he lost even his Local Government Area.

Those who thought the crisis will be over on the conclusion of the Governorship election missed it. The crisis is, instead, spreading like wild fire in the harmattan, sadly, still centred on Anyanwu.

A few days ago, the faction, allegedly, loyal to Anyanwu announced  the suspension of the State Chairman from office. This earned a counter from the faction loyal to the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, a former Governor of the State who was removed from office after eight months by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Even though Ihedioha has been quiet since he withdrew from the Governorship race, and left the ticket for Anyanwu to pick, a majority of PDP members in the State remain loyal to him.

But on Thursday, in a statement, the NWC dismissed the suspension of Ugwu by the Anyanwu faction as null, void and of no effect. It said in the statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, that Ugwu  remains the PDP Imo State Chapter Chairman.

Following is the statement by the NWC.

PDP NWC Dismisses Purported Suspension of Imo State Chairman, Enngr. Charles Ugwu

“The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to the purported suspension of the Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of our Party, Engr. Charles Ugwu.

“The NWC at its 579th meeting on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 declared the said suspension as null and void and of no effect, not being consistent with laid down Rules and the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017)

“The NWC therefore charges all leaders, critical stakeholders, members and teeming supporters of our Party in Imo State to be guided accordingly.

“The NWC enjoins all Party members in Imo State to remain united and continue to work together in the overall interest of our Party.

“Signed:

“Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary”