By Henry Umoru
THE leadership of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) Wednesday described the pressure on the Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by its members as most inappropriate and obscene, especially coming from a ruling party that ought to chart a credible democratic pathway for the nation.

According to PPA, the move to force Ohakim out of the party for PDP was clearly an indication of utter lack of principle, and a shameful recourse to political prostitution that has bedeviled our political history.

But, in a swift reaction, the leadership of the PDP through its National Vice- Chairman, South-East, Chief Olisa Metu, said PPA should be accused of political kidnapping for taking away one of their foundation members and also one of the brightest, just as it alleged that PPA introduced kidnapping in the South East by first kidnapping Ohahim from PDP.

PPA’s statement was signed by its National Chairman, Clement Ebri in Abuja Wedneday.

said that, “It is rather strange to observe that whereas a bill to outlaw decamping of elected political office holders has been proposed to the National Assembly by a PDP led government, the same party is strenuously scheming to lure a sitting Governor to decamp from the PPA to the PDP. This is clearly an indication of utter lack of principle, and a shameful recourse to political prostitution that has bedeviled our political history.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) strongly condemns the undue pressure being mounted by the PDP on Governor Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State to decamp from his party, the PPA and join the PDP.

“The PPA views these overt moves to lure Governor Ohakim away from the party as most inappropriate and obscene, especially coming from a ruling party that is supposed to chart a credible democratic pathway for the nation.

“The PPA is proud of the two Governors elected under its platform in Abia and Imo State respectively. Both Governors are working assiduously to bring democracy dividends to their people. Our party provides the right platform and principled leadership as the necessary springboard for our elected Governors to succeed, a party that is committed to bringing prosperity to the people.

“ Imo State is not the only State where the Governor has to work with a PDP-dominated House of Assembly. The same situation obtains in Anambra State where Governor Peter Obi belongs to the APGA with the PDP providing the entire membership of the State Assembly. Ironically, the Governor in Anambra State is not subjected to the kind of crude and senseless pressure that Governor Ohakim is made to bear.

“Besides, one of the key elements of the electoral reform is the provision for Independent candidature. A popular individual with the right track record can contest future elections on his own without having to depend on a political party platform.

Is PDP saying that no individual can endear himself to the people without sheltering behind a political party? What weird thinking! We urge Governor Ohakim to disregard the antics of the PDP and to continue with his laudable programmes in Imo State . Afterall, the stone that the builder rejected has become the cornerstone!”