PDP loyalists slam ADC defectors, vow to keep party strong in Enugu

• •Say coalition built by party destroyers

Leaders and stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State have lashed out at party members defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing them of sowing division within the PDP before abandoning ship.

The Concerned PDP stakeholders forum, a coalition of founding members, grassroots mobilisers, and former executives, said those now aligning with the ADC were the very individuals who destabilised the PDP and are seeking refuge after causing internal crises.

“They want to destroy the PDP and run, but we won’t let them succeed,” said Ozo Okey Ozoani, the group’s leader and former PDP state vice chairman, while addressing the press after a strategy meeting in Enugu weekend. “These same people fueled the confusion around the National Secretary seat, and now they’re jumping to the ADC.”

Ozoani insisted that the PDP in Enugu remains solid and unshaken despite defections and speculations surrounding Governor Peter Mbah’s rumored move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 “We are here to restore hope in the PDP. Enugu has never known any other party since 1998. It’s not easy to go to the wards and preach a new party to our people,” he said.

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The forum emphasised that the state chapter would not follow any politician blindly, even if the governor were to leave.

“The PDP is not moving with anyone. Many of us are here to stay,” Ozoani declared.

He also dismissed agitation by some Southeast PDP members threatening to quit the party if SKE Ude-Okoye is not made National Secretary.

“That’s a divisive move. The current occupant of that office is from the Southeast—Senator Anyanwu from Imo. Why push him out for another Southeast candidate from Enugu?” he queried.

Joining the conversation, a former Udi council chairman and ex-aide to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Engr. Nicholas Obiora Ozonsi, said the party’s survival must not depend on one individual.

“We will defend the PDP even if the governor takes a different path. Our loyalty is to the party, not personalities,” Ozonsi said, stressing the need to safeguard the PDP’s legacy and credibility.

“If anything happens overnight, people must still find the PDP standing,” he said.

The group said it would begin reconciliation efforts across wards and local government areas to bring back disillusioned members and keep the party united ahead of future elections.

“We are not just loyalists,” Ozoani added. “We are guardians of the PDP in Enugu, and we’re here to remind everyone that PDP is still the party to beat.”