– as Okewulonu hosts party faithful
Political leaders and stakeholders in Okigwe senatorial zone, after a meeting convened by Barr Chris Okewulonu on Wednesday, June, 21, resolved among other things to remain in and support the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to victoriously navigate prevailing challenges and emerge victorious at the November, 11, governorship election.
The meeting which was presided over by the Okigwe Zonal Chairman of the PDP, Sir Chidi Dike, was attended by critical stakeholders, members of the State Executive Committee, Local Government and Ward Chairmen of the party, among others.
Some of the resolutions reached at the meeting, as contained in a document signed by 29 stakeholders and made available to the press are, ‘’That the party is supreme and members are subject to the supremacy of the constitution of the party. Members therefore, shall by this provision, be bound to respect and bear true allegiance to the constitution of the party.
“That PDP is intact in the zone and so far, no member of the party has found reason to decamp from the party. Members in unanimity therefore, resolved to stay put to support and contribute to the growth and development of the party.
“That the party in unequivocal terms condemns the wanton resignation and ignoble flight of seven of the fourteen members of the PDP State Working Committee into APC, for unjustifiable and pecuniary reasons.
“The party commends the resolve of members of the SWC of Okigwe extraction and all the officers from the zone who vehemently resisted the temptation of being dragged by their ignoble colleagues into the embarrassing and reproachful decampment from the party.
“That the party in unequivocal terms condemns the wanton resignation and ignoble flight of seven of the fourteen members of the PDP State Working Committee into APC, for unjustifiable and pecuniary reasons.
“The party commends the resolve of members of the SWC of Okigwe extraction and all the officers from the zone who vehemently resisted the temptation of being dragged by their ignoble colleagues into the embarrassing and reproachful decampment from the party.
“The party passed an overwhelming vote of confidence on one of their own, an illustrious son of the zone and State Chairman of the party, Engr. Charles Ugwu, oon, the indefatigable Zonal Chairman, Sir Chidi Dike and all other officers of the party, in appreciation for their excellent performances in office, which have earned the zone the accolade of best organized political zone in the state.
“The party passionately shares in the travails of the Senatorial Candidate, Chief Emma Okewulonu, lkeoha over the pending election matter in court. It also used the case as a point of contact to all other pending cases, includin⁶⁶g those of our House of Assembly candidates that are also being pursued in court.
“Finally, the party resolved to congratulate Rt Hon Jonas Okeke, the member representing Okigwe South Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, on his deserved victory at the polls and subsequent inauguration as member of the National Assembly’’.
In the same vein, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Imo State, Mazi Emenike Nmeregini, in a release which he issued in connection with the meeting of Okigwe leaders convened by Barr Chris Okewulonu, reminisced on the conscious and pioneering roles of some sons of the zone, such as Chief Emeka Echeruo of blessed memory, who put in their all in building and nurturing the party into a mega status.
They committed resources in every ramification to promote the party and make it a household name and winning team in the state.
From inception to date, the umbrella has been a signature symbol on the ballot paper in every election in the country. The party remains phenomenal, irrespective of the downright systemic manipulations by the opponents of democracy, simply to hold PDP down. How then shall we let the labours of our past go in vain due to pecuniary interests of a few commercial elements among us?
He further noted that the PDP, in Okigwe zone under the leadership of Barr Chris Okewulonu, the State Chairman of the party, Engr Charles Ugwu OON and the Zonal Chairman, Sir Chidi Dike among others have condemned in very strong terms, ‘’the despicable conduct and attitude of seven out of the fourteen members of the State Working Committee of the PDP, who shortly after resigning from the party tactlessly defected to the APC.
‘’This premeditated act of mutiny which lacked finesse and decorum remains roundly objectionable to the party and indeed the good and peace loving people of the zone. It smacks of high level conspiracy, aimed at ridiculing the PDP in the state.
“The zone eminently deserves commendation for fielding set of highly principled and committed officers into the SWC and other executive offices, officers who are visibly making the zone proud. While the entire five members of the SWC from Orlu and two from Owerri zones decided to plot the mutiny and sell out, members of the committee of Okigwe extraction proved themselves worthy and of high degree of integrity by remaining intact in the party. On this premise, Okigwe zone demands that it should, in addition to the office of the Speaker, be considered for the office of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, for a fair balance in power sharing.
“Again, it is necessary to reiterate the fact that the party is supreme and that members should support the party and abide by the supremacy of the constitution and collective decisions of the party. We shall not be part of any act of insubordination and disloyalty, either overtly or covertly, aimed at undermining decisions of the party based on principles and letters of the constitution. The collective interests of the party remain paramount and primarily above all contending personal and group interests of a few. It should be PDP first, before self, so, any subterranean manipulation to hoodwink and/or subdue the party to submission shall be vehemently resisted’’.
