By Anselem Anokwute
New members of the Young Progressive Party (N-YPP) in the 27 council areas of Imo State, numbering over one hundred thousand persons have unanimously joined the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in their bid to actualize the earlier quest to enthrone good governance in the state.
In his speech, the State Chairman of N-YPP, Chief Damian Ogu, who was a former Imo State House of Assembly Member for Onuimo state constituency, said that the decision to join PDP was premeditated by the uninflinching and overwhelming support of the members before, during and after the election of the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, an assurance he claimed to have fulfilled and delivered. He explained how other political parties came to solicit their support, but the N-YPP instead took a decision in favor of the PDP candidate, as most qualified person.
Chief Damian Ogu, further described the event as a home coming for some of those who were astute members of PDP before embarking on a political sojourn for greener pastures. As the first Onuimo PDP Chairman and later IMHA member, that the reason for the New YPP coming on board now is to help strengthen the party and also to make it more formidable for the next election as all the members of the N-YPP have accepted to ensure that Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s second term bid remains non-negotiable.
Governor Emeka Ihedioha, who was represented at the event by his SSA on Political Affairs, Hon. Jones Onyeriri, thanked the N-YPP members for their positive decisions and assured them of Governor’s open door policy in the spirit of a true Imo son who has burning desire to ensure that the state is completely rebuilt after 8 years of mess by the former Governor.
Hon. Onyeriri in his words “I am using the name of the governor to welcome you all and received you as a member of PDP and anything due for you must get to you”.
He mentioned some of the governor’s achievements within three months in the office to include the great innovation of establishment of the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Bureau for public procurement, Local Government Autonomy, pragmatic approach to security.
Barrister Charles Ezekwem, the Chairman of PDP Imo State in his earlier address welcomed the new members and assured that they will not be relegated to the background in the party, but would be giving their rightful positions. He thanked Chief Ogu for leading the flocks aright and promised that all the new members would receive the party’s membership cards while the highlight of the event was the handing over of the, party membership card to the Former N-YPP Imo State Chairman, Hon Damian Ogu.
Speaking also the Former N-YPP Woman Leader, Engr. Mrs. Petrolina Okoroji, a University Don, said that the coming on board of the N-YPP members have given more life line to PDP, not only to retain power but to contribute towards the rebuilding of the state.
She thanked the new found party executive members and the party Apex Leader, Governor Emeka Ihedioha, for acceptance and rekindling of their hope that whatever is due to the new party members will get to them. “We are here to join the party and also to throw our unflinching support to the Governor. Infact, he has started well with the introduction of due process into the state governance, there is need to support him to go higher.
As a woman leader with different styles, I am going to encourage and mobilize all Imo women irrespective of their political parties affiliation, to join PDP and to support the Governor”, she stated.
Many dignitaries witnessed the occasion including, all the state executive committee members of the N-YPP, PDP State Organizing Secretary, Nze Law Biadun, PDP South East Executive Member, Hon. Pope Ekwegh, PDP State Youth Leader, Aburi and many others.
