By PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI— GOVERNOR Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State yesterday said one of the factors responsible for disloyalty within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was high level indiscipline demonstrated by some members of the party.

Elechi made the assertion while declaring open a four-day workshop for elected and appointed members of the party at local council, development centre and ward levels.

The governor noted that the functionaries of the party needed to be more knowledgeable on the policies, ideals and manifesto of the party than those elected into various positions, adding that PDP must see itself as the element of change if it was to achieve maximum benefits for the citizenry.

He stressed that a balanced knowledge of the party’s ideals by members was paramount to the maintenance of unity and cohesion, even as he pointed out that loyalty to the party meant obedience to party’s directives, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

The governor said: “I commend the wisdom of the organisers of this sensitization workshop; though belated but very timely. I give my 100 percent to you for party loyalty”.

“It is part of the blueprint initiated by the party and if we are the springboard upon which various elements attain positions, if we are the umbrella that protects the members of the party, we need to be more knowledgeable than every person we elect into various positions.

“Change is a common phenomenon in human life, it is not only central to politics; it must be seen as a way of life. PDP must see itself as an element of change for the better.

“That is why the party’s motto stipulates that power derives from the people. People must be the reference point in the evaluation of power. We must therefore show respect to the party; there is need for party discipline and loyalty.”

Earlier, state chairman of the party, Prince Ugorji Amaoti, stated that the seminar was organized to inculcate discipline into members of the party, adding that the only way PDP could continue to get the support of the people was to deliver on its manifesto and meet the yearnings of the people.

Some of the dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony include the State Deputy Governor, David Umahi, member of the Board of Trustees of the party, Mrs. Patience Ogodo, local council chairmen, members of the state executive council among others.