By Ugochukwu Alaribe

UMUAHIA – Former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, has dismissed reports that a faction exists in the state chapter of the PDP following the absence of some eminent members of the party during the state PDP congress in Umuahia.

The PDP in Abia had yesterday, elected Elder Amah Abraham, as the new state chairman of the party.

In the congress chaired by the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Amah who is the immediate past PDP vice chairman,Abia North zone and acting publicity secretary of the party,polled 1,264 votes, to defeat his closest rival, Barr Olugu Kalu,who pulled 395.
Other contestants include, James Okpara, Amb.Lovin Okoro,Barr Kingsley Imaga, and Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma.

On the position of three zonal chairmen of the party, Mr. Enyinnaya Appolos and Chief Patrick Onwuka,emerged vice chairmen, for Abia South and Abia Central zones, respectively, while Chief Gabriel Elendu,emerged as vice chairman, Abia North zone. Mr Eric Ikwuagwu ,was elected unopposed as the state Publicity Secretary.

In an interview with journalists at the event, the ex commissioner, Kalu, explained that some eminent members of the party such as the chairman of the Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 poll, Chief Okey Ahiwe; immediate past Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, among others, could not attend the congress because of other pressing engagements.

He,however, assured that they were part of what he described as the consensus building process that ensured a peaceful congress in the state.

He said; “There is no faction in Abia PDP. There is nothing to worry with the absence of some leaders of the party in this state congress. We are together. The Chairman of the PDP BOT, Senator Adolphus Wabara is indisposed. I’m confident he would have been here. The immediate past deputy Governor,Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, has been part of the consensus building arrangement leading to this event. Others like our governorship candidate in the 2023 poll,Chief Okey Ahiwe,travelled out of the state over a pressing assignment. Hon. Uko Nkole ,also travelled. So, there is no faction in Abia PDP.”

He disclosed that the elders of the party had mandated the new executive to pursue aggressive reconciliation to bring back aggrieved members as well as those that left the party.

“Our future in Abia PDP starts from here. The elders of the party had given a mandate of aggressive reconciliation to the new executive committee. We will knock on all doors. Our members have reasons to be aggrieved. But there is an existential threat to every Abian that we need to come together to rescue the state, because if we don’t,our people will be squashed.”

In an interview after the declaration of results,Returning officer and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, commended the peaceful disposition of the party delegates which he said, ensured a hitch free event.

He also congratulated the winners and disclosed the party’s readiness to take back power from the people they lent it to, come 2027.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, expressed gratitude to the party stakeholders and delegates for finding him worthy to give their votes and for entrusting the party in his hands.

Amah said his emergence would pursue a robust engagement, the reconciliation of aggrieved members, re- echoing the ideas and vision of the founding fathers and as well, bringing back those that left the party,to make it stronger.

“This is a new dawn for Abia PDP,” he assured.